Ανακαλύπτοντας την «μαγεία» του Φινλανδικού εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος

Moika moika! Mina olen Filomeni ja olen opettaja! These are some Finnish that I learned here in Joensuu, but I think that is better to continue in English.

I am 23 years old, I come from Greece, and I live in the second biggest city of the country, in Thessaloniki. While I was writing my thesis, I decided that I have to take the opportunity that Erasmus + program give to the students and to do my internship in a foreign country despite the situation of Covid – 19.

So, one day after my graduation at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki I took the airplane and after two flights, Suomi welcome me with snow! Maybe you are wondering why I took the decision to come to Finland. The answer is that my goal is to broaden my horizons as much I can concerning my job. So, Finland was the best choice because of the educational system that everyone talks about. Therefore, I was so curious to what “magical” happens to Finnish Schools. The curriculum, positive pedagogy and in general the way that Finnish educational system works, reminds me again the spirit to as better teacher I can for the pupils and the methods that I learned to my university.

At the very begging, it wasn’t easy to be familiar with the new workspace and the numerous differences concerning the country, the weather etc. However, the staff of Mutala, the other trainees were the reason why in some weeks Joensuu was feeling like home for me. In the school I realized that nothing “magic” happens in a Finnish school, just innovative methods. The autonomy that every class has, the relationship between teacher-pupils and small habits that are very common here impressed me.

The fact that all the pupils are so independent to work, and they have the freedom to do many staff always with the trust and the encouragement by the teachers head to cultivate children who don’t be afraid to dare and try new things. For example, when I sit in the Arts and Crafts class for the first time I couldn’t believe how ease utilize the tools for the woods. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to visit other schools and to see by my own the autonomy that every school is able to have here in Finland.

Moreover, in Mutalan Koulu I had the freedom to organize my own projects and to accomplish many lessons, always with the advice of my mentor. I organized lessons with intersectionality, lessons which combine two or more subjects. My adoration about the Arts head me to create activities which combine geometry and drawing, music and maths. Among other things we did with the 3^rd graders musical instruments from recycled materials which we used to learn a Greek song.

The bonding that created with the children after the teachings was impressive. The moment that will be indelible from 3^rd class is a lesson that we did with Maria Chiou ( the other international trainee. We asked from pupils to draw the earth with their favorite colors and to draw the most important things about them in the earth. One of the kids drew bees because as she told us “Bees are very helpful for the flowers, so bees are important for our earth”. Also, we embrace the opportunity to talk about how vital peace and freedom are.

Come to an end, I want to say special thanks to Olavi Kuokka my mentor, who was a family here in Joensuu, to Maria Chiou for the great corporation and of course all the teachers, assistants of Mutalan Koulu. I am grateful that now I leave from Joensuu with all these unforgettable experiences. Now, I feel ready to continue my career as a teacher. Mutalan koulu, Finland and all these people here teached me that everything is possible if you work hard and have the right people beside you.