Global Education Allies
Education in Finland
We began our educational experience meeting with Mr. Petri Haltia and Mr. Thomas Parkkari, both Ministerial Advisors on education, examining what makes Finnish education so different from the American model. In Finland, students begin pre-primary school at 6 for a shortened day. Comprehensive School engages students aged 7-16 and a process of matching places individual students either in an academic track or an applied track (or vocational). The philosophy of the system stresses TRUST and FLEXIBILITY and a lifetime of continued "enlightened learning" and over an individual's lifetime they can switch back and forth between the options. Later we met with a student pursuing a teacher training program--licensure requires entry into an intensive training program (10% of candidates are accepted), a masters degree, and success in a prolonged interview process.
We began our educational experience meeting with Mr. Petri Haltia and Mr. Thomas Parkkari, both Ministerial Advisors on education, examining what makes Finnish education so different from the American model. In Finland, students begin pre-primary school at 6 for a shortened day. Comprehensive School engages students aged 7-16 and a process of matching places individual students either in an academic track or an applied track (or vocational). The philosophy of the system stresses TRUST and FLEXIBILITY and a lifetime of continued "enlightened learning" and over an individual's lifetime they can switch back and forth between the options. Later we met with a student pursuing a teacher training program--licensure requires entry into an intensive training program (10% of candidates are accepted), a masters degree, and success in a prolonged interview process.
Our first chance to meet with students came with interviews at the Kirkkojarvi School where we discussed the role of languages, problems facing immigrants in the system, & global awareness. These impressive students had taken their all important exams at the end of comprehensive school last spring and were waiting to see where they matched for this fall. For Americans, this would be the end of 9th grade: secondary school is 3 years to follow. The philosophy they emphasized was the importance of student direction, responsibility for academic choices lies with the student, rather than the teacher or some prescribed route. Several of the students pictured could speak to the immigrant experience--placement for one year in an intensive language based curriculum--and we were pleased to have our tour leader's daughter join us as a Finnish school participant since she had been an exchange student with these ladies in 2018-2019!
An important part of learning about a culture is to leave the tourist spots behind and to meet with real families in their homes. I was lucky to visit with Principal Jussi's of the Veikkola School family at their home farm (his family had lived on the land since 1604).
The next day we visited the Veikkola School. We learned of the National Goals for Basic Education and Transversal Competencies established every 10 years. The branches of the tree developed are what is visible in the curriculum, the fruits of the tree are the projects produced, the clouds of cooperation and creativity the 21st century skills stressed, and roots the philosophical goals of the system.
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The Omnia Vocational School provides educational opportunities to students of every age. There are youth workshops, vocational track classes, and adult classes for specialist qualification.
Viherlaakso High School emphasizes the arts. Students qualify for placement here based on their scores, choices made after year 9, and an interview process. Older students serve as mentors to students in a system that once again stresses choice, trust, and collaboration.
The Haltia Nature Center is a resource available to students of all ages, teachers, and families. Their aim is to strengthen a person's relationship with nature and to inspire a person to go and enjoy being in natural surroundings.
The Fryhuset Youth Center was a site we visited in Sweden. In meeting with their Principal, he stressed his mission to establish trust with students who have lost their way so that they might find their way back into society. There is a single mothers program, sports programs, and arts. The program reaches out to students where they are as a place that accepts them for who they are.
Places we visited:
Helsinki, Finland
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral is a major landmark of the city and sitting on the steps is a required picture opportunity. Finished in 1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, the site was known as Saint Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. The statue in the square reflects the original patron.
Helsinki, Finland
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral is a major landmark of the city and sitting on the steps is a required picture opportunity. Finished in 1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, the site was known as Saint Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. The statue in the square reflects the original patron.
The Harbor Square and the Design District
The Rock Church, officially the Temppeliaukio Church, is built directly out of solid rock and is bathed in natural light. Designed by competition, the Rock Church is a Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland that is famed for its amazing acoustics. Hymns 571 and 292 are featured.
Oodi Library and Finnish National Museum
The Helsinki Central Library Oodi was an amazing experience! Opened in 2018, the Oodi is more than a library or media center by American standards, it a community experience. Anne and I were particularly impressed by the circular staircase featured in the pictures. All along the walls of the staircase are people who the Oodi serves-words include visionary, teachers and students, all ethnicities and ages, and all sexual preferences are among those listed. I chose feminist for my spirit served!
The Helsinki Central Library Oodi was an amazing experience! Opened in 2018, the Oodi is more than a library or media center by American standards, it a community experience. Anne and I were particularly impressed by the circular staircase featured in the pictures. All along the walls of the staircase are people who the Oodi serves-words include visionary, teachers and students, all ethnicities and ages, and all sexual preferences are among those listed. I chose feminist for my spirit served!
Suomenlinna is a fort situated on a group of islands off Helsinki. Built during the Swedish era as a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet (1748), the fort was later controlled by Russians, and finally the Finns in 1918. Today the fortress is a major tourist destination reached by ferry allowing for some lovely shots of Helsinki from the sea.
The Sibelius Monument
Jean Sibelius was a composer widely recognized as Finland's greatest. His compositions are often credited with helping the Finns develop a national identity during their war for independence from Russia.
Jean Sibelius was a composer widely recognized as Finland's greatest. His compositions are often credited with helping the Finns develop a national identity during their war for independence from Russia.
Finland beyond Helsinki
At Pokrova Orthodox Monastery we were able to meet the founders of the order and visit their amazing church. They raise much of their own produce and treated us to a dinner they prepared and served. No pictures are allowed inside the house of worship, but what else shows the glory of god better than some of the beauty of their gardens?
At Pokrova Orthodox Monastery we were able to meet the founders of the order and visit their amazing church. They raise much of their own produce and treated us to a dinner they prepared and served. No pictures are allowed inside the house of worship, but what else shows the glory of god better than some of the beauty of their gardens?
Siunto Medieval Stone Church and Bronze Age Burial Mound
Built as a Catholic Church in the 1480s, this Medieval Stone Church was converted to a Lutheran chapel in 1527 when the then ruling Swedish King converted his realm. Stats thanks to Stephanie! Today, 60% of Finland claims membership in the Lutheran Church of Finland, which is one of the two state religions (Russian orthodox being the other). St. Peter is the church’s patron saint. In Siuntio, 29% of the people speak Swedish (second official language of Finland) as their mother tongue, compared to only 5% nationally who claim it as a mother tongue.
Built as a Catholic Church in the 1480s, this Medieval Stone Church was converted to a Lutheran chapel in 1527 when the then ruling Swedish King converted his realm. Stats thanks to Stephanie! Today, 60% of Finland claims membership in the Lutheran Church of Finland, which is one of the two state religions (Russian orthodox being the other). St. Peter is the church’s patron saint. In Siuntio, 29% of the people speak Swedish (second official language of Finland) as their mother tongue, compared to only 5% nationally who claim it as a mother tongue.
Upon conversion to a Lutheran Church, the style become plainer and the congregation here has worked hard to restore the original art work that had been white washed.
Preaching to a congregation which was largely illiterate, the paintings posted below teach the believers of the dangers of sin (pictured as the devil) prevalent in their daily lives. Row 1 illustrates the dangers of GOSSIP and communing with the devil. Row 2 shows Saint Andrew on his cross--not a Game of Thrones character! |
We climbed to a higher venue and looked down on the Church and enjoyed the view from a Bronze Age burial mound archaeological find.
A night at Nuuksio --and we SAUNA! Time in the extreme heat is to alternate with a dip in the cold pond. REPEAT.
After we returned from St. Petersburg, we visited Porvoo & enjoyed the Midsummer Celebrations! Our timing for the trip could not have been better!
Turku
Our ship from Stockholm arrived at Turku before our drive across Finland. We visited the Turku Cathedral, which like most of the oldest churches in Finland, started as a Catholic Church but during the Reformation was taken over by the Lutheran Church of Finland.
Our ship from Stockholm arrived at Turku before our drive across Finland. We visited the Turku Cathedral, which like most of the oldest churches in Finland, started as a Catholic Church but during the Reformation was taken over by the Lutheran Church of Finland.
Turku Castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland. Begun in the 1280s by Swedish invaders, today the Castle is one of the most visited sites in Finland. Stephanie thought she had wandered into Winterfell in the interior courtyard!
The Suomen Joutsen is a former training vessel for the Finnish Navy. Now a museum, she is moored next to the Forum Marinum in Turku. We took a moment for lunch, ice cream, and some daisy appreciation.
Some things I found amusing along the way!
A bit of Boston, Santa with a Chinese friend, reindeer teeth art for Dr. K, more of Europe's fascination with pee-ing art, and a visit with some interesting tomb stones!
A bit of Boston, Santa with a Chinese friend, reindeer teeth art for Dr. K, more of Europe's fascination with pee-ing art, and a visit with some interesting tomb stones!
The Scandanavia II page will continue the tale of our adventures...