The Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program (FLGS) is funded by the U.S. Department of State, and administered by IREX in the United States and by the Fulbright Finland Foundation in Finland. The program strives to build capacities of U.S. K-12 school administrators to enhance student learning and develop 21st century skills. The program provides administrators with an intensive 10-day program in Finland to learn about and share best educational practices through briefings, panel discussions, visits to schools, and networking events.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation is closely monitoring the international Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 reporting and situation in Finland. Changes to the program are possible if the situation evolves.
Arrival to Helsinki Airport
18:30 Welcome Dinner at the Hilton Helsinki Strand
Fulbright Finland Team Welcome and Introductions; Kahvia ja Karjalanpiirakoita
Introduction to the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program in Finland
U.S. Fulbrighters and the Fulbright Program in Finland: What Everyone Needs to Know
Your Role in Publicity and Outreach
11:15-12:15 Panel Discussion: The Finnish Education System (K-12): National, Municipal, and School Level
Erja Vitikka, Counsellor of Education, Finnish National Agency for Education
Harri Rinta-Aho, Deputy Mayor, Head of Education and Cultural Services, City of Espoo
Mirjam Virtainen, Principal, Turku International School
Lunch
13:30-14:30 Pertinent Issues in Education Leadership in Finland
Toni Lehtinen, Organization Secretary, The Finnish Association of Principals
Agneta Torsell, Principal, Lagstads Skola; Member of the Board, The Finnish Association of Principals
Afternoon Coffee
Fulbright Dialogue: 21st Century Leadership in Schools - A roundtable discussion with invited experts to share views from Finland and the 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
Dinner at Restaurant Graniittilinna
9:00 Bus Departs for Nuuksio National Park
10:00-11:00 Guided Tour of the Finnish Nature Exhibition at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia
11:00-12:00 Explore the Forest - Nature School Experience
12:00-13:00 Grilling tikkupulla by Campfire - nuotio
13:15-14:30 Lunch at Restaurant Haltia and Time to Tour the Exhibition Independently
14:45 Bus Departs for Löyly
14:45-17:30 Finnish Sauna Experience in Löyly with Possibility of Ice Swimming
Expert guests:
Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Principal, Lumon lukio Upper Secondary School; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2012-2013
Petteri Granat, Teacher, Vaskivuori High School; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2014-2015
17:45 Bus Departs for the Hotel
13:00 Lunch and Reflection Time at Ateneum Bistro, National Art Museum
Alumni experts:
Anne-Marie Rapo, Principal, Espoo International School; Fulbright Leaders for Global School Travel Grantee 2019
Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Principal, Lumon lukio Upper Secondary School; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2012-2013
14:15-16:15 City Tour of Helsinki
Tour Guide: Maria del Carmen Hanninen
Fulbright Forum 2020: Education, Innovation, Science and Art
10:15-10:30 Welcome to Fulbright Forum 2020!
10:30-10:45 Unleashing the Design Process
10:45-11:30 Panel Discussion: Journey of Learning: American Teacher Experiences in Suomalainen Phenomenon-Based Education
11:30-12:15 Panel Discussion: Empowering Students Through Purpose, Movement and Global Competency
12:15-13:30 Lunch at UniCafe Olivia
13:30-14:30 Introduction to Teacher Education at the University of Helsinki
Coffee Break
15:00-16:00 Opportunity to Meet and Interview Teacher Trainees and/or Tour the Campus
16:15-17:00 Tour of the Helsinki University Museum
17:00-19:00 Reception Hosted by the University of Helsinki
8:30-9:30 Breakfast with guest speakers
9:30-10:30 Presentation: Broad Based Pedagogical Leadership
Tapio Lahtero, Ph.D. Title of Docent, Administrative Principal, Helsinki University Teacher Training Schools
Marja Martikainen, Principal, Viikki Teacher Training School, University of Helsinki
10:30-11:15 Discussion and examples of U.S. practices
11:30 Bus Departs for Mercuria Business College
12:30-13:15 Finnish School Lunch
13:15-14:30 Introduction to Vocational Education in Finland through a site visit to Mercuria Business College
Tarja Mykrä, Director of Development, Mercuria Business College; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2015-2016; Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Travel Grant to the U.S. 2019
Markus Oedewald, Deputy Principal, Mercuria Business College
Tiina Immonen, Principal, Mercuria Business College
Hilla Helasaari, International Coordinator, Mercuria Business College
14:30-16:00 School visit to Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School
Introduction to upper secondary school with a special focus on math and sciences.
Salme Sulander, Principal, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School
Taru Pohtola, English Teacher, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2015-2016
16:00 Bus Departs for Helsinki
18:00-20:00 Alumni Networking Happy Hour
7:50 Bus departs for Espoo International School
8:30 Participation in a Community Welfare Meeting at Espoo International School
Opportunity to learn about various measures available in Finland to promote students’ well-being. Expert briefings followed by Q&A.
Hosts:
Anne-Marie Rapo, Principal, Espoo International School
Emmi Riihiranta-Laine, School Nurse, Espoo International School
Eric Allenbach, Special Education Teacher, Espoo International School
Jay Thompson, Student Counselor, Espoo International School
10:00-10:30 Transportation to site visits in small groups
10:30-13:30 Visits to Espoo Education and Cultural Services, Lagstads Skola Comprehensive School, Mainingin Koulu Comprehensive School, and Otaniemen Lukio Upper Secondary School
More detailed description can be found from the PDF-booklet.
13:30 Taxis depart for Espoo International School
14:00-14:30 Tour of Espoo International School
14:30-16:15 Participation in Collaboration Time at Espoo International School:
Sharing of Best Practices & Observations in K-12 Education from Finland and the U.S.
Participants will be divided into small thematic groups for discussion on current themes that are pertinent for both Finnish and U.S. school leaders. The goal of the collaboration exercise will be to share some best practices, reflect on interesting observations, etc.
Host: Anne-Marie Rapo, Principal, Espoo International School
Group 1: Holistic Approach in The Finnish School System
How does the Finnish Education System work to ensure educational growth and social development of each child?
Facilitator: Lori Gustafsson, 2nd Grade Teacher, Espoo International School
Group 2: Day to Day School Leadership
Master schedule, instructional strategies, student assessment, etc.
Facilitator: Jay Thompson, Student Guidance Counsellor, Espoo International School
Group 3: Teacher Recruitment, School Leadership and Wider School Community
How are teachers recruited and trained? What are some good practices for dealing with families and wider school community?
Facilitator: Heli Elliott, Vice Principal, Espoo International School
Group 4: Curriculum and Education Practices
How to help students acquire global competencies through curriculum development, education practices, learning environments, etc.?
Facilitator: Sarah Fair, 1st Grade Teacher, Espoo International School
Group 5: Strategies for Addressing Special Needs
What kind of strategies are used for addressing diagnosed disabilities and learning difficulties? What kind of differentiation practices are used in the classroom? How to respond to students’ interests and needs?
Facilitator: Eric Allenbach, Special Education Teacher, Espoo International School
Wrap-up: Good Practices and Highlights from Thematic Groups
Anne-Marie Rapo, Principal, Espoo International School (TBC)
16:30 Bus Departs for Jyväskylä
9:30-14:00 How do Finnish School Administrators Really Spend Their days?
14:30 Transportation Depart to University of Jyväskylä
14:30-18:00 Visit to the University of Jyväskylä, Seminarium Hall
14:30-15:15 KAJO-Project, European Education Policy Network Project
15:15-17:15 Reflection 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
17:15-18:00 Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Award Ceremony
Dinner at Restaurant Kissanviikset
8:45 Bus Departs for the Heureka Finnish Science Center
12:30 Lunch at the Heureka Science Restaurant
13:30-14:30 Heureka as a Learning Environment, Guided Tour
Jutta Kujasalo, Head of Learning and Events, Heureka Finnish Science Center
14:30-15:00 Program Wrap-up and Evaluations
15:00-17:00 Time to Tour the Exhibitions at the Heureka Finnish Science Center
17:00 Bus Departs for Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo
17:30 Farewell Dinner at Il Siciliano Restaurant
Departures from Helsinki Airport
Find biographies of the 2020 Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program Participants to Finland here or download the participant biographies in PDF format (PDF will be posted closer to the program).
We encourage all grantees to follow developments of the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 situation by using official information sources (see below) which provide the latest information on the spread of the virus and instructions for preventing infection:
The officials also provide practical instructions on their websites, for example, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare provides information on how to prevent the spread of the virus with good hand hygiene.
Will be posted after the program.
A link to the photo gallery will be posted after the program.
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 reservations have been made for the participants and will be paid by the Fulbright Finland Foundation.
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.
Original Sokos Hotel Alexandra combines the sociable ambience of a small hotel with the comprehensive range of services offered by large hotel.
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.
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 bring 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.
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 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 resilient boots and gloves. Bring a set of outdoor pants with you. 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.
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/
