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How do Finnish teachers view schools in alberta?
A group of teachers from Finland arrived in Alberta on October 29, 2011, to spend a week in Calgary and Edmonton schools as part of the Finland–Alberta partnership. The ATA Magazine caught up with four of the teachers as they visited Edmonton’s Jasper Place High School. Featured here are their impressions of Alberta and their view of the partnership.
Lauri Lounela teaches Grades 10–12 art in Valkeakoski. His art classes are much noisier and not as “tranquil” as the Art 10 class he visited at Jasper Place High School. Walking among the students engaged in a drawing project, Lounela chatted softly with Britt Petracek, the school’s fine arts department head. “Students seem really focused on their work here. In Finland, my classes are not so calm,” Lounela commented. While he found many similarities between Canadian and Finnish classrooms, such as the fine arts curriculum, Lounela noted that the Alberta art teacher seemed more in control of her class and had more time to focus on teaching art. “It’s interesting to think about why there’s a difference in the class dynamics. I’d like to learn how to handle my students better and create a calmer environment in my classroom,” he said. When asked what makes a good school, Lounela said it requires a deep level of respect between teachers and students. Both student and teacher recognize that they are each trying to do their best and they develop empathy for one another. Lounela concluded, “I need some time to process my impressions of Alberta schools, but I think I can learn a lot here.”
Jockum Vonwright, who teaches Grades 10–12 physics in Vaasa, commented on the similarities and differences he saw between Finland and Alberta—both inside and outside the classroom. “Canada is very similar to Finland except there’s a touch of United States commercialism here, which we don’t really have at home. The physics class I visited today was nearly identical to mine at home—the class size is the same and the teaching methods are the same,” Vonwright commented. He added that the Alberta schools he’d visited were large compared to schools at home, and schools in Alberta put a greater emphasis on cultivating school spirit. “Our sports teams are not as high-profile and don’t generate the same enthusiasm that they do here,” he said. Children in Finland begin school at age seven, so high school students range in age from 16 to 19. “It really shows when our Grade 12 students are 19 [years old], as they seem much older and more communicative with each other and with teachers.” Vonwright looks forward to learning from Alberta schools and implementing some changes in his classroom, as well as sharing ideas with his Finnish colleagues. He complimented Alberta teachers who act quickly when a student is at risk of dropping out. He liked the idea of starting a debate club for his students at home. “I see many things that I’d like to learn more about and I think that having direct cooperation with Alberta will be very useful to me.” When asked what makes a good school, Vonwright answered that a good school is a place where students believe they are learning and to which they are happy to get up and go to each day—it’s a place where they feel enthusiastic and challenged.
Irina Eklund teaches business accounting and payroll to Grades 11 and 12 in Turku. She found Alberta beautiful and said Alberta teachers are open and skilled at taking care of their students. “Here at Jasper Place High School the teachers are so friendly and supportive towards the students. The building seems so big and the classes seem larger, too. The technology that teachers have to use in the classroom here is great,” she said. Eklund commented that Alberta students are similar to the Finnish. “They are all teenagers who have their own way of studying … just like in Finland.” One big difference in Finland is that Eklund’s classes are a mix of teenaged and adult students, ranging in age from 21 to 33. “Some adults decide they want to go back to school to improve their math skills so they can get a better job, so I teach them too.” When asked how the partnership with Alberta could help her in Finland, Eklund replied, “It is a big help because in Finland we don’t work in such an open and inviting atmosphere; we don’t do projects or even presentations in class the same way. I’d like to be more responsive and open with my students, especially with those who may not be as talented. I’m getting good ideas to bring back home with me.” When asked what makes a good school, Eklund replied that in a good school teachers cooperate with each other and work together to take care of their students.
Tuula Ahtola described Alberta as “beautiful!” She added: “I’ve always wanted to visit Canada and see the Rocky Mountains—they look just like the Alps.” In Turku, where Ahtola teaches Grades 10–12, students are much like the students at Jasper Place High School. “They look the same as in Finland except some students here carry laptops, and we don’t allow laptops at school in Finland.” Ahtola’s school was built in 1903 and for a long time had no electricity. In her view, Alberta schools are more modern in comparison. “Our building is being renovated, and we don’t have the technologies that the classrooms have here,” Ahtola observed. She sees many possibilities for change in her classroom and gathered many new ideas after just two days of visiting Alberta schools. “I have met really interesting people and I look forward to learning more. There is positive energy here and a real sense of community between teachers and students,” she said. When asked what makes a good school, Ahtola replied: “A place where everybody—students and staff—work together to create the best possible outcome. Everyone is there to learn and to learn from one another.”
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Kim Dewar is an ATA administrative officer, public relations and communications, in the Government program area.
