A. Lopes, Rita T. Sousa e Luciana Joana - 50 Anos de Docência em Democracia

April 25, 1974, gave rise to a powerful mobilization of the population for education. Many young people who had chosen Medicine, Economics, Engineering, or other higher education programs, inspired by the collective hope that democracy brought, decided to change their course and invest in what they believed would be closest to "changing the world"—education.

This book brings together the life stories of teachers who began their careers during the period of democratic transition in Portugal, between the 1970s and 1980s. Although they may have occasionally held training, supervision, or management roles, they always wanted to return to the classroom, where their effort and dedication were recognized over the years by the communities they served, their peers, and several generations of students.

Their professional life stories, therefore, represent the very history of the evolution of education in Portugal over the last fifty years, which is told here firsthand by those who participated in it with unwavering dedication.