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| Jyvaskyla Fulbright Teachers (missing Kerry and Linda) |
As I conclude my Fulbright project, it goes without saying
that I could not have done this alone. The help I’ve received along the way has
been heartwarming and supportive. I am so proud to have been able to represent
teachers and my community in Finland.
Jose Govea
This unceasing advocate for teachers is my area union rep.
When he heard I was awarded my Fulbright grant, he went into action to make
sure I received some type of compensation from the hard to navigate district I
work in. We realized the deadline had passed for the correct leave of absence
to make this happen, but he said, “I’m willing to do battle for a Fulbrighter.”
Thanks to Jose, I was able to receive financial support from my district while
away on leave.
The IIE
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| Angelica Serna |
The International Institute for Education manages the
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching program which sent me to Finland.
This first-class organization supported me each step of the way, from the
orientation in August to departure in January. While in Finland, they fielded
any and all questions and helped me feel comfortable while living in a foreign
country. Thank you Angelica Serna for all of your assistance!
Fulbright Finland
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| Mirka introducing Finnish education experts at the orientation |
IIE hands off the baton to Fulbright Finland in January and
from the very first meeting, I knew I was dealing with deeply committed thinkers
who embody everything the Fulbright program represents. From the visionary
leadership of Terhi Molsa to the gentle and knowledgeable Mirka McIntyre who is
the program director for the teachers, I received all of the guidance necessary
to make my stay in Finland successful. The entire staff was a joy to get to
know and work with.
Leasa Weimer
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| Leasa Weimer |
To get acquainted with the local culture, we are assigned a
Fulbright buddy, one that can take you grocery shopping or recommend a local
workout place. Leasa hosted a group of teachers, students, and scholars our first
month in Jyvaskyla and helped me get through the gloom and cold of January and
February. Our get togethers helped me feel like I had connections and wasn’t
doing this solo. Leasa inspired me to do the same for Fulbrighters in California,
and I will be
hosting
incoming students in the fall!! I am so excited to pay it forward.
Anniina Tourunen and Tamas Szabo
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| Anniina Tourunen |
Anniina was my Survival Finnish instructor at the University
of Jyvaskyla. In the early months, when my calendar was not as filled with
school visits, these language classes really helped me get acclimated to
Finnish culture. It was so much fun to be surrounded by foreign exchange students
from all over the world as we adjusted to life in Finland.
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| Tamas Szabo |
Professor Szabo helped set the tone for my inquiry project
with the Learning Environments class he taught at the University. His research
background gave me an early understanding of trends in Finnish school construction
and environments.
Hanna Poylio
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| The brilliant Hanna Poylio |
Last, but certainly not least was the help I received from
my faculty advisor Hanna. She is one of those special individuals who has the
knack of navigating between cultures. How else has she been able to understand
these frenetic Fulbright teachers who drop everything they have going in their
lives to move halfway across the world? Hanna provided realistic expectations
for the work I was trying to do, gave me multiple opportunities to attend
social events (Antti Tuisku pop concert was unforgettable), and explained what
I was seeing in Finnish schools.
I call Hanna a Finnish American because deep in her heart, she
is one of us. Forthright, assertive, and opinionated. These are great qualities,
but not all Finnish ones. But the beauty of that is that she helped me and many
others get an inside view of a culture that can upon first glance seem hard to
crack. Her husband Antti’s color commentary on all things Finnish was priceless
as well. And who doesn’t need an adorable baby to warm their heart (Noaa).
There are countless others who helped along the way, from
Juha-Matti the Executive Director of Niilo Maki Institute where I was based to
Oli-Pekka from EduCluster, both who provided contacts and made us feel welcome
in a new town. Professor Bob Foster at UCLA who so kindly met with me even before
his trip to share his contacts with me in Finland. The Fulbright teachers in Jyvaskyla who were my family away from home. The random Finns who dropped knowledge about
their culture in saunas or bars. I could go on.
This teacher’s Fulbright did not happen alone, and I will
forever be grateful to those who helped make it happen.
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