Information about the 2019 FLGS Program

Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools program 6-16 March, 2019. Information as of March 22, 2019.

The Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program (Fulbright LGS) is funded by the U.S. Department of State, and administered by IREX in the United States and Fulbright Finland Foundation in Finland. The program strives to build capacity of U.S. primary and secondary administrators to enhance student learning and develop 21st century skills. The program provides administrators with an intensive 10 day program in Finland to learn and share best educational practices through briefings, panel discussions, visits to schools, and networking events.

FLGS participants at Truth Matters seminar

Photos from the Program

Link to the photo gallery.

Agenda

Download the program booklet in PDF-from.

Thursday (March 7, 2019)

16:10 Arrival to Helsinki Airport
19:00 Welcome Dinner at the Hilton Helsinki Strand

Friday (March 8, 2019)

10:00-10:10 Fulbright Finland Team Welcome and Introductions: Kahvia ja Karjalanpiirakoita
10:10-10:20 Introduction to Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program in Finland

10:20-10:50 U.S. Fulbrighters and the Fulbright Program in Finland: What Everyone Needs to Know
10:50-11:00 Your Role in Publicity and Outreach
11:15-12:15 Panel Discussion: Finnish System of Education (K-12): National, Municipal and School Level

  • National Framework for Finnish K-12 Education
  • Role of Municipalities in Organizing Education
  • Principal's Role in Finnish Schools

Erja Vitikka, Counsellor of Education, Finnish National Agency for Education
Salla Sissonen, Basic Education Coordinator, City of Turku
Vesa Valkila, Rector, Teacher Traning School University of Turku

Lunch

13:30-14:30 Pertinen Issues in Education Leadership in Finland
Toni Lehtinen, Organization Secretary, The Finnish Association of Principals
Agneta Torsell, Principal, Lagstad Skola, Member of the Board, The Finnish Association of Principals

Afternoon Coffee

Fulbright Dialogue on 21st Century Leadership in Schools  - A round-table discussion with invited experts to share views from Finland and U.S. on the future needs and prospects of school leadership

Speaker: Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, National Agency for Education, Finland
Future Needs and Prospects of School Leadership in Finland

  • Current challenges and prospects in School Leadership in Finland
  • How does Finland support School Administrators
  • Innovations and “tools” in School Leadership
  • Promoting trust, autonomy and Responsibility
  • Evaluation that supports learning

Dialogue Participants:

  • Raisa Ahtiainen, Researcher, PhD (Ed.), Centre for Educational Assessment, University of Helsinki
  • Mary Anne Butler, Assistant Superintendent, Stonington Public Schools
  • Jason Clinkscale, Principal, Berkshire Middle School
  • Judith Dauman, Director Strategic Support and Innovation, Aurora Public Schools
  • Sharada Deaton, Principal, Wright Middle Schools
  • Elizabeth Devlin-Foltz, Senior Program Officer, Coach, Teacher Exchange Branch, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, Finnish National Agency for Education
  • Christopher Huff, High School Principal, Waverly Community Schools
  • Melissa Jacobs Thibaut, Principal, Houston Academy for International Studies
  • Vanessa Jones, Education Director, Greater Brunswick Charter School
  • Tapio Lahtero, Ph.D. Title of Docent, Administrative Principal, Helsinki University Teacher Training Schools
  • Mirka McIntire, Manager, Teacher Exchange and Education Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation
  • Michele Miller, Principal, Steamboat Springs Schools
  • Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
  • Anne-Marie Rapo, Principal, Espoo International School
  • Salla Sissonen, Basic Education Coordinator, City of Turku
  • Agneta Torsell, Principal, Lagstads skola; Member of the Board, The Finnish Association of Principals
  • Clark Tenney, Assistant Principal, Prescott High School
  • Vesa Valkila, Rector, Rector, Teacher Training School, University of Turku
  • Douglas Wehner, Assistant Principal, Wydown Middle School
  • Photographer: Inari Ahokas, Program Assistant, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Dinner at Restaurant Kolme Kruunua

Saturday (March 9, 2019)

9:00 Bus Departs for Nuuksio National Park
10:00-11:00 Guided Tour of the Finnish Nature Exhibition, the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia
11:00-11:30 Time to Tour the Exhibition Independently
11:30-12:30 Lunch at Restaurant Haltia
12:30-13:30 Explore the Forest - Nature School Experience
13:30-14:30 Grilling Sausages by Campfire
14:45 Bus Departs for Löyly
14:45-17:30 Finnish Sauna Experience in Löyly with Ice Swimming
Expert guest: Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Principal, Lumon lukio Upper Secondary School; Fulbright Distinquished Awards in Teaching program alumna
17:45 Bus Departs for the Hotel

Sunday (March 10, 2019)

13:00 Lunch at the Ateneum Bistro, National Art Museum
14:15-16:15 City Tour of Helsinki
16:30 Finnish P.E. - Ice Skating 101 at Ice Park Helsinki (optional)
18:00 Dinner with the U.S. Fulbright Grantees in Finland

Monday (March 11, 2019)

2019 Fulbright Forum: Education, Innovation, Science and Art
Day I - Education Extravaganza

10:15-10:30 Welcome to 2019 Fulbright Forum!
10:30-10:45 How Less Can Be More: What Finland Can Teach the U.S. about Cutting Homework in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Jennifer Stewart, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019

10:45-11:00 Exploring Biotechnology Career Pathways from Secondary Education to the Workplace in Finland
Joseph Oleniczak, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019

11:00-11:45 Panel Discussion: From the Margin to the Center: Creating Inclusive Classrooms in the 21st Century
Matthew Freedman, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019
Leslie Baker, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019
Amy Sampson, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019

Lunch at UniCafe Olivia

12:45-13:15 Panel Discussion: Phenomenon-Based Learning, Examples from Music and Math
Argine Safari, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019
Sabrina Goldberg, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019

13:15-13:30 Inclusion Strategies of Evidence-Based Practices with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (Autism)
Robyn Young, Fulbright Distinquished Award in Teaching 2018-2019

13:30-13:35 Fulbright Finland Announcement about Opportunities for Students, Teachers and Faculty

Coffee Break

14:00-14:45 Panel Discussion: Bridging Global Perspectives to Design More Equitable Communities
Jane Weiss, Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2018-2019
Julia Miller U.S. Fulbright Fellow 2018-2019
Michelle Paterick, Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award 2018-2019

15:00-15:45 Introduction to Finnish Teacher Education at the University of Helsinki
Arto Kallioniemi, Vice Dean, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki

16:30-18:15 Reception Hosted by University of Helsinki on the Occasion of the 2019 Fulbright Forum: Education, Innovation, Science and Art

Tuesday (March 12, 2019)

8:30 Bus Departs
9:00-11:00 Visit to University of Helsinki Teacher Training School in Viikki
Tapio Lahtero, Ph.D. Title of Docent, Administrative Principal, Helsinki University Teacher Training Schools
Marja Martikainen, Principal at Viikki Teacher Training School, University of Helsinki

Presentation: Broad Based Pedagogical Leadership                          
Tapio Lahtero, Ph.D. Title of Docent, Administrative Principal, Helsinki University Teacher Training Schools

Lunch at the Mercuria Business College

12:30-13:20 Introduction to Vocational Education in Finland through a site visit to Mercuria Business College
Tarja Mykrä, Director of Development, Mercuria Business College; Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching program 2015-2016
Markus Oedewald, eCampus manager, Mercuria Business College
Jarno Westerholm, Deputy Principle, Mercuria Business College

14:00-16:00 School visits to Lumo Upper Secondary School, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School or Mercuria Business College

Group A: Lumo Upper Secondary School
Introduction to upper secondary school with a special focus on arts, and preparatory education for immigrant students. Opportunity to learn about matriculation exams.
Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Principal, Lumo Upper Secondary School

Group B: Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School
Introduction to upper secondary school with a special focus on math and sciences. Opportunity to learn about matriculation exams.
Salme Sulander, Principal, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School
Taru Pohtola, English Teacher, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School

Group C:  Mercuria Business College

16:00 Bus Departs for the Hotel

Wednesday (March 13, 2019)

“Truth Matters: Strategies for Combating Manipulated Realities”  - a Seminar Addressing Manipulated Realities, Media Literacy and Fact-Checking.

8:50 Bus Departs for Oodi Central Library
9:30 Welcome Remarks
Terhi Mölsä, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Introduction of the keynote speaker

Keynote Speech: Understanding Visual Mis- and Disinformation
Farida Vis, Director, Visual Social Media Lab; Professor of Digital Media, Manchester School of Art (See bio)

10:45-12:15 Panel Discussion: "Manipulated Realities – Threat to our Democracy?"
Moderator:
Mari K. Niemi, Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship InnoLab, University of Vaasa; Docent in Contemporary History, specializing in Political Communication (See bio)

Panelists:

  • Päivi Anttikoski, Director General, Government Communications, Prime Minister’s Office, Finland
  • Jarno Limnéll, Professor of Cybersecurity at Aalto University, Adjunct Professor at the National Defence University, University of Jyväskylä and Tampere University of Technology (See bio)
  • Barbara McCormack, Vice President of Education, Freedom Forum Institute, Newseum, Washington, D.C. (See bio)
  • Mikko Salo, Faktabaari (FactBar) Co-Founder; Member of the European Commission’s High-Level Group on Fake News and Online Disinformation (See bio)
  • Olli Seuri, Journalist, YLE Finland's national public broadcasting company; Journalist of the Year 2018 (See bio)

12:15-13:30 Lunch at Musiikkitalo

13:30-15:30 Parallel Workshops
Workshop 1: Judging Fact from Fiction and Everything in Between
Barbara McCormack, Vice President of Education, Freedom Forum Institute, Newseum, Washington, D.C.

  • Review definition of freedom of press and explain how it functions in today’s society.
  • Discuss rights/law from ethics/responsibilities.
  • Analyze print, television and online media for accuracy, fairness, and clarity.
  • Review different sources of news and information and how the source can influence the content.
  • Discuss the current and possible future trends in the media environment.

Workshop 2: Faktabaari EDU Toolkit - Fact-checking for Educators and Future Voters
Mikko Salo, Faktabaari (FactBar) Co-Founder; Member of the European Commission’s High-Level Group on Fake News and Online Disinformation
Kari Kivinen, Head of the Lycée franco-finlandais d’Helsinki (See bio)
Presentation PDF

15:20 Workshops End

15:30-17:30 RECEPTION in Honor of the Speakers of the Seminar Truth Matters: Strategies for Combating Manipulated Realities, and Fulbright Grantees and Alumni from the Nordic and Baltic Countires and the United States Participating in the Fulbright Finland Foundation's Nordic-Baltic Initiative

17:30 Bus Departs for Jyväskylä

Thursday (March 14, 2019)

10:00-14:00 How do Finnish School Administrators Really Spend Their days?

  • Experience a day job-shadowing Finnish school administrators
  • Learn about educational services in the City of Jyväskylä (K-9)
  • Explore school leadership within Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia
  • Enjoy Finnish school lunch

Location 1: Kilpinen Comprehensive School, Grades 1-9
Johnny Kotro, Principal, Kilpinen Comprehensive School

Location 2: Tikkakoski Comprehensive School, Grades 1-9
Harri Penttinen, Principal, Tikkakoski Comprehensive School
Paula Jokinen, Vice Principal, Tikkakoski Comprehensive School

Location 3: City of Jyväskylä, Educational Services and Tikan Koulu School
Pia Bärlund, Service Manager, City of Jyväskylä, Education Services
Juhana Autio, Principal, Tikka School, Grades 1-6

Location 4A: Schildt Upper Secondary School
Maarit Mertaniemi, Vice Principal, Schildt Upper Secondary School
Seppo Haavisto, Acting Principal, Schildt Upper Secondary School

Location 4B: Gradia Upper Secondary Schools & Jyväskylä Upper Secondary School for Adults
Antero Hietamäki, Director of General Upper Secondary Education, Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia; Principal, Jyväskylä Upper Secondary School for Adults

Location 5: Jyväskylän Lyseo Upper Secondary School
Osmo Polas, Principal, Jyväskylän Lyseo Upper Secondary School
Juhani Takkinen, Vice Principal, Jyväskylän Lyseo Upper Secondary School

15:30-17:00 Reflecting on Current Educational Leadership Practices and Themes in Finland and the U.S.
Mika Risku, Head of the Institute of Educational Leaders, University of Jyväskylä

17:00-18:00 Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Award Ceremony
19:00 Dinner at Jyväskylän Vanha Asemaravintola Restaurant

Friday (March 15, 2019)

8:45 Departure for the Railway Station
13:00 Lunch at the Heureka Science Restaurant
14:00-14:40 Heureka as a Learning Environment
Jutta Kujasalo, Head of Learning and Events, Finnish Science Center Heureka
14:40-15:00 Program Wrap-up and Evaluations
15:00-17:00 Time to Tour the Exhibitions at the Finnish Science Center Heureka
17:00 Bus Departs for Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo
18:00 Farewell Dinner at La Famiglia Restaurant

Saturday (March 16, 2019)

Departures from Helsinki Airport

Participants

Download the participant biographies in PDF format here.

2019 FLGS participants

Mary Anne Butler
Mary Anne Butler is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Stonington Public Schools in Stonington, Connecticut. She is a national presenter on science education for the Bureau of Education and Research, Bellevue, Washington, and serves on the NCAA High School Review Committee. Mary Anne also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for LaGrua Center for Arts, Culture, and Community in Stonington, Connecticut.  She holds a B.S. in Biology from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, a J.D. from Western New England University School of Law, and a 6th Year Degree in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. She and her husband of 34 years, John, live in Noank and have two grown sons.

Jason Clinkscale
I am honored to serve as the principal of Berkshire Middle School (Birmingham Public Schools) in Beverly Hills, Michigan. In addition to my work as a public school administrator, I also serve as a board member on three different nonprofit community groups (Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition, Birmingham Youth Assistance & The Einstein Method). I have a Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University and also a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. One of my personal and professional goals is to do everything possible to close achievement and opportunity gaps that exist between various subgroups of students in our society. Therefore, it is my sincere hope to learn about many of the educational best practices that are utilized throughout Finland that ensure equitable learning opportunities and outcomes for all students.

Judith Dauman
I am currently Director of Strategic Support and Innovation in Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Colorado. I coach and supervise five principals within the ACTION Zone in Aurora Public Schools. These five schools have Innovation Status through the Colorado Department of Education, this status provides our schools with waivers from the Teacher Master Agreement and certain district policies. I have worked in public education for the past 29 years as an elementary teacher, a K-8 special education teacher, an assistant principal, a principal for 16 years in 3 different schools and currently as a Director. My goal for participating in Fulbright LGS Program is to gain an understanding and acquire strategies that support our refugee population within our schools. I also want to see if there are specific strategies or ways of educating our students that we could learn from this trip to support the five schools.  Additionally, I am really interested in the secondary education program for Finland students. Through this I am hoping to gain information around best educational practices and effective strategies in school leadership that I can share with my leaders.

Sharada Deaton
During my tenure of over 15 years with Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee, USA, I have worked as a teacher of English Language Learners (ELL); ELL instructional coach/specialist; Dean of students, Ninth Grade Academy Principal at a urban High School, and currently serve as the principal of an urban middle school. Wright Middle School is a highly diverse school with 61% Latino population and 34% English Language Learners who speak 20 different languages within the building. I graduated with an Ed.D. from Tennessee State University and with an Ed.S. from Tennessee Technological University. In addition, I hold both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Literature and Linguistics, and a Master of Philosophy degree in English Language Teaching from the University of Madras, India. I am very excited to be chosen for this wonderful opportunity and hope to gain an understanding of the structures, systems, and processes that make Finland's education system the best in the world.

Chris Huff
Chris Huff is the Principal at Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan. Waverly has been recognized as having one of the most diverse student bodies in the state, serving just over 1,000 students. Chris has served as a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, and Assistant Principal at Waverly prior to his current post as Principal. Chris earned his BA at Albion College and MA at Marygrove College. Chris' participation in the Fulbright LGS program is motivated by the goal of preparing students for the "soft skills" and competencies required to thrive in the Global Society of the 21st Century.

Melissa Jacobs Thibaut
Melissa Jacobs Thibaut is the Founding Principal of the Houston Academy for International Studies, a small, public early college high school that provides an Associate's Degree and a program in international studies for Houston's at-risk youth. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree from The King's College, she served as a Teach For America Middle School ESL teacher in Houston. After she joined the United States Peace Corps and served for 2 years in Cape Verde and was part of the first Corps to serve 2 years in Mozambique. She returned to Houston where she received her Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. She founded the Houston Academy for International Studies Early College High School in 2006. HAIS has been named one of the best high schools in the US and was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award. Ms. Jacobs-Thibaut was named as a recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership.

Vanessa Jones
Vanessa Jones serves as Education Director at Greater Brunswick Charter School (GBCS) in New Brunswick, NJ. GBCS is a K-8 school with innovative educational programs such as Personal Education Plans, Positive Discipline, and Dual Language instruction. Vanessa's background in Montessori education drew her to the progressive models at GBCS. She began as a founding teacher at GBCS in 1998, and an administrator in 2014. She is involved in the New Brunswick community, serving on the Ciclovia Committee to encourage open streets for active living. She also serves on the Franklin Township Trails Advisory Committee: promoting, protecting, and developing multi-use trails. Her objective for participating in the Fulbright LGS Program is to observe and discuss best practices of school leaders whose support of teachers and students results in academic achievement, teacher retention, and the best management of workload. She also hopes to develop a network of school leaders who will analyze what they learn in Finland, and design ways to apply that knowledge to their American schools.

Michele Miller
I am the Principal of Soda Creek Elementary and the Steamboat Springs Early Childhood Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I have been part of this school district since 2001. I have been in education since 1991. I attended San Diego State University in San Diego, California where I obtained my Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies. In 1998 I received my Masters of Science degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Denver. Currently, I am involved in our local Routt County United Way as a member of the executive board. I also lead the Community Investment Committee for United Way where we allocate close to $300,000 to our local human services agencies. As a Fulbright participant, I am eager to learn about social emotional programming in Finland's schools. I would like to bring back ideas for a tiered system of support for students with social emotional and behavioral health needs.

Clark Tenney
Clark Tenney has a diverse background in education, with a career spanning 26 years. He was a classroom teacher of U.S. History, U.S. Government, and Japanese language for 21 years, including 9 years at a high school teacher and 12 years as an elementary school teacher. He has spent significant time teaching in both public and private schools, both in the western United States and in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Tenney's educational leadership experience includes many years as a department chair and 4 years as a principal of a large elementary school in Prescott, Arizona. He now serves as assistant principal of his alma mater Prescott High School. Mr. Tenney holds degrees in Secondary Education and Japanese Language Teaching from Brigham Young University, as well as in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Douglas Wehner
Doug Wehner has been in the field of education for over 20 years. He has taught social studies in Missouri, California, Vermont, and New York City. He currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Wydown Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri. He is proud to have worked with students in urban, rural, and suburban settings and was honored with the Vermont NEA Award for Teaching Excellence. He received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership in 2015. After learning from Finland in the Fulbright LGS Program, Doug hopes to implement educational best practices from Finland into his home school. In his spare time, Doug enjoys jazz, live theatre, independent films, international learning, and running.

Speaker and host biographies

Speakers and panelists on Friday March 7, 2019

Erja Vitikka
Dr. Erja Vitikka works as Counsellor of education at the Finnish National Agency for Education. Vitikka’s main assignments relate to strategic planning of the development and implementation of the Finnish national core curriculum in basic education. She is also involved in the development of student assessment in basic education. Vitikka has a doctorate in education. She has studied the structure of Finnish curriculum design from the viewpoint of the characteristics of subject content and pedagogy.

Salla Sissonen
Salla Sissonen is a coordinator  for basic education at the City of Turku, focusing on pedagogical development and high quality learning. She is a former pedagogical designer, teacher and teacher trainer specializing in technology assisted learning. She has worked as online coordinator at the European University Institute in Florence, developing courses and learning paths as well as coaching higher education teachers and speakers in pedagogical approaches.

Vesa Valkila
PhL Vesa Valkila is the Principal of the Turku International School. Principal Valkila has 30 years of experience in education, both as a teacher and as a principal and has specialized in Educational Leadership and Management. His specific interests are curriculum design and implementation, learning environments and pedagogical leadership. Mr Valkila has also worked extensively in the field of multicultural education and Teacher Training at the Teacher Training School, University of Turku. Turku International School is founded to meet the educational needs of increasing international activities in and around Turku and belongs to a network of international and IB-schools. Turku International School offers primary (grades 1-6), secondary (grades 7-9) and upper secondary education. The first two of these conform to the Finnish National Core Curriculum. The upper secondary education is based on the IB Diploma Programme. It is the goal of this school to educate the professionals of tomorrow and also build the international infrastructure of the city.

Toni Lehtinen
Toni Lehtinen, organization secretary in The Finnish Association of Principals since 2010. Responsible for association on a daily basis and especially events and trainings.  Currently studying MBA, Future management and customer based business model in Laurea University of Applied Sciences. In my spare time I enjoy activies with my dog and various sports. Former Futsal Fifa Referee.

Agneta Torsell
My name is Agneta Torsell. I have been working as a principal for about 15 years in Lagstads skola in Espoo (grades 1-10 with about 500 students and 60 teachers and school assistants). Lagstads skola is a school for Swedish speaking children. I am also a principal for two small schools, Bemböle skola and Rödskogs skola, both with grades 1-4 and about 50 students and 6 adults in each school. Before I started as a principal I worked as a teacher in grades 1-6. At the age of 18 I got my first job as a substitute teacher (in Lagstads skola) for one year and I was totally hooked – that was the best job I ever had. I stayed for two years in Espoo and then moved to Vasa to study in the University to become a primary school teacher. I think being a teacher and also a principal is actually the best work you can ever have – yes it has days you really question why you chose this job, but when you get to be with all the fantastic students and grown ups in my schools you just love it. And you know how it goes, I married a teacher and my oldest daughter is now in Vasa University studying to become a teacher…

Hosts at University of Helsinki Teacher Traning School in Viikki

Tapio Lahtero
Tapio Lahtero (Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Administrative Principal) has been making his career both in the education departments of municipalities and at the universities. He graduated as a primary teacher at the University of Turku in 1993 and made his doctoral theses at the University of Jyväskylä in 2011 with the topic “Leadership culture at schools”.  eMBA exam in Leadership in the public management he finished in 2015 at the University of Tampere.  Tapio Lahtero has worked for over ten years as a principal, as a regional principal and as the head of the comprehensive schools in the education department in City Vantaa. Since 2015 he is the Administrative Principal of both Teacher Training Schools of the University of Helsinki – Viikki Teacher Training School and Helsinki Normallyceum.  Tapio Lahtero is the leader of the principal training program of the University of Helsinki. He has been educating principals and leaders of education departments of municipalities at the Universities of Jyväskylä, Turku and Helsinki. He has published several research articles about leadership culture, strategic leadership, distributed leadership and broad based pedagogical leadership.

Hosts at Mercuria Business College

Tarja Mykrä
Director of Development Ms. Tarja Mykrä has a versatile experience in the field of education. In MERCURIA Business College she was in charge of implementing the revised vocational education legislation for her school during 2017-2018. She is also a vocational teacher and a specialist in coaching, mentoring, student-centered teaching methods, vocational education and work-based learning. Ms. Mykrä has several publications in the field of her specialist areas. She has experience of international training programs in Jordan and Uganda, and she spent fall 2015 as a Fulbright scholar in Indiana University, US.

Markus Oedewald
eCampus manager Mr. Markus Oedewald is currently in charge of developing eLearning in MERCURIA Business College. He is also a member of Digital Innovations Group of AMKE (The Finnish Association for the Development of Vocational Education and Training). Mr. Oedewald has been in charge of several international and eLearning projects, including 2016-2017 the biggest eLearning project financed by Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. In addition to eLearning and pedagogical development, he has specialized in International Business Cultures, Tourism Business and Entrepreneurship.

Jarno Westerholm
Deputy principle, T-Campus manager Mr. Jarno Westerholm has long experience as an entrepreneur and a vocational teacher. In MERCURIA Business College he in charge of designing timetables and ensuring educational resources for teachers. He is also a leader of marketing, international student exchange and further training for adults. Mr. Westerholm has a lot of experience of international projects and he has been living two years in Amman, Jordan. He is a specialist of innovations and on his initiative there are nowadays several projects in co-operation with working life.

Host at Lumo Upper Secondary School

Marianna Sydänmaanlakka
Principal, Lumo Upper Secondary School, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program Alumna 2012. Previously Marianna worked as a Vice Principal, a Guidance Counsellor and Leader of the Learning Environment Project at the Sotunki Upper Secondary School and Sotunki Distance Learning Centre. Marianna has been an active Board Member and former President of the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association. She continues to volunteer for the FDAT program.

Hosts at Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School

Salme Sulander
Principal of Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School. Salme Sulander, started her teaching career as a foreign language teacher, but has already 25 years of experience as a principal. She has worked at all levels of education, from elementary to adult education. She has a passion for international cooperation and has a lot of experience of organizing both student and teacher exchange projects with schools abroad, for example, in England, Germany, Chile and Australia.

Taru Pohtola
English and German teacher at Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School. Besides teaching foreign languages, Taru has been involved in many international projects over the years. She organizes student exchange projects with a school in Germany and has also been actively cooperating with a Tanzanian school. Taru is a Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program alumna, she spent the fall semester 2015 at Indiana University. She has been volunteering for the Fulbright Program ever since and hosted several Fulbright teacher grantees at her school.

Links Related to the Program:

Country profile about Finland including Educational Issues pertinent to Finland
Finnish Education System
Navigating the Finnish Higher Education System
Orientation Guide
Fulbright Finland in a Nutshell (pdf)

The Finnish National Agency for Education:

The Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland:

Useful links for the cities of Helsinki and Jyväskylä:

Helsinki
My Helsinki
Helsinki Regional Transport Servise HSL
Visit Finland - Helsinki

Jyväskylä
Visit Jyväskylä
Visit Finland - Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä City

Hotel Information

Hotel reservations have been made for the participants and will be paid by Fulbright Finland Foundation.

Helsinki
Hilton Strand

Stay at Hilton Helsinki Strand and enjoy the sea breeze.

Address: John Stenbergin ranta 4, 00530 Helsinki
Reception email: [email protected]
Reception telephone: +358 9 39 351
Room price includes breakfast and internet connection.
Check-in starts at 2.00 pm and check-out done by 12 am.

Jyväskylä
Original Sokos Hotel Alexandria

Original Sokos Hotel Alexandra combines the sociable ambience of a small hotel with the comprehensive range of services offered by large hotels.

Address: Hannikaisenkatu 35, 40100 Jyväskylä
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: + 358 20 1234 640
Room price includes breakfast, internet connection around the hotel and the usage of the sauna facilities during hotel guest shift.
Check-in starts at 3.00 pm and check-out done by 12 am.

Vantaa
Sokos Break Hotel Flamingo,

Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo is situated within the vicinity of the Flamingo Entertainment Center, Flamingo Spa, and Jumbo Shopping Centre near the airport. The hotel brings a relaxing break to the business traveller's workday as well as action and entertainment to leisure time.

Address: Tasetie 8, 01510 Vantaa
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone: + 358  20 1234 600
Room price includes breakfast and internet connection.
Check-in starts at 4.00 pm and check-out done by 12 am.

Finnish Winter and Packing Tips

How to dress up for the Finnish winter? Please check out this video for some tips!

March is still considered a winter month in Finland. The weather, especially in Central Finland, can be cold and snowy. When packing for this type of climate, we recommend packing many layers of clothing. During the program we will also be spending time outside in the nature, so please remember to pack warm outdoor clothing. Hats and scarves are highly recommended as well as warm and water resiliant boots and gloves. The participants will also be introduced to the most Finnish experience during the program - sauna. Please pack a swimsuit with you.

Sockets are different in Finland, so remember to pack an adapter as well as a converter for electronics that you will need during your stay.

Here is some information about the Finnish sauna:

Finnish sauna: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_sauna
Bare facts of the sauna: https://finland.fi/life-society/bare-facts-of-the-sauna/
Sauna tips for beginners: https://www.visitfinland.com/article/10-sauna-tips-for-beginners/

Questions?

Mirka McIntire
Phone. 044 5535 269
[email protected]