Finnish Teachers - Superheroes of the Happiest Country in the World

In Finland, we place great value on education and understand that a good teacher is the very core of successful learning. Teachers are trusted professional and innovators, encouraged and empowered to explore new approaches.

Finnish happiness stems from creativity, well-being and equal opportunities for all. Our teachers are the superheroes who make it all possible.

To highlight our invaluable teachers, an exhibition was created in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Finnish National Agency of Education and the Trade Union of Education in Finland OAJ.

Read on to meet the eight teacher-superheroes showcased in the exhibition. All of the pictures have been taken by photographer Minna Kurjenluoma.

Hanna Ahvonen

Pre-primary education teacher, Helsinki

Every situation or moment offers a chance to learn something. My education gave me the skills to see these moments and use them as learning opportunities.

Listen to more of Hanna's thoughts here.

Johanna Heikkilä

Principal, Hyvinkää

You don’t have to be scary. You can do more with a smile than an angry face.

Listen to more of Johanna's thoughts here.

Minna Mouhu

Music teacher, Sipoo

My focus in teaching is always practical. I find it's more important that you can play or sing than that you know some musical notation.

Listen to more of Minna's thoughts here.

Dick Kullberg

Teacher in lower secondary, Porvoo

I am very happy every day. I come to school with joy every day! Always! Wow! This is my life; this is good for me.

Listen to more of Dick's thoughts here.

Maija Sneck

Primary school teacher, Lahti

I think it’s super important that we find the strengths in each and every pupil, in each and every kid.

Listen to more of Maija's thoughts here.

Petri Karoskoski

Teacher in adult education, Tampere

I am a mental health nurse and I am also a social psychologist. I think they make quite a perfect mix to teach.

Listen to more of Petri's thoughts here.

Ella Järvinen

Language and special needs teacher, Espoo

Learning should be comfortable and motivating. Only then you can get good results. And one of the main tasks of the teacher is to make learning fun.

Listen to more of Ella's thoughts here.

Kimmo Siuruainen

Teacher in vocational education, Rovaniemi

I teach about nature and tourism. Life is very different here because we have so much snow. We have huskies and reindeer and use snowmobiles.

Listen to more of Kimmo's thoughts here.