Tuesday, August 27, 2019

P + R = T: A Lesson Learned from Finland


What I did this summer.” This classic thematic essay prompt could have been a fitting title for my first blog entry of the new school year.  Several months ago, I was ecstatic to learn that I was one of several educators from across the country selected to study the Finnish education system in and around Finland’s capital city, Helsinki.  I completed my trip in July, and it is an experience that was often at the forefront of my mind as I prepared for the coming school year. 

For those not very familiar with this Nordic country, here are a few quick facts for you in order to become better acquainted:

1.     Yes, they actually eat reindeer (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it).

2.     No, they are not actually Scandinavian. They have more in common with Russia and Estonia than with neighboring Sweden or the other Scandinavian countries.

3.     They invented the sauna, and there are an estimated two million of them in the country.

4.     They just won the ice hockey world championship, and it is a source of national pride.

5.     And…year after year, they are regarded as the best public education system in the world.

Of course, the final factoid compelled me to take a trip to this nation nestled along the Baltic Sea.  I was eager to unlock the secrets of their success and return home to put a Hanover spin on them.  What I found though is that there was no real secret at all.  In fact, the first thing that stood out to me was just how similar they are to us.  Their school day length was comparable, class sizes were nearly identical, they have their summers off, teacher and administrator responsibilities were very similar, right down to “duty periods,” and the students complain about the cafeteria food despite it being quite good.  I could relate to all of these things perfectly, of course.  In fact, at times, it felt more as if I had traveled to a neighboring state rather than to another country.

Certainly, there were some differences as well. For instance, they begin elementary school typically a year or two later than we do, and they completely destigmatize trades-based education.  In addition, all students select their high school by area of interest and aptitude (e.g., fine arts high schools, trades high schools, and even sports-based high schools), somewhat like our specialty centers.  While these differences were notable, they were not individually or collectively responsible for their success from what I could gather.  As I continued to try to decipher what set them apart from the world, I realized that it was not a particular thing that they did but areas they emphasized in every area of public education.  After further contemplation on the matter, I jotted down a simple equation in my notebook:

P + R = T

The “P” in the equation stands for Professionalism.  No matter his or her role, every educator we spoke with took tremendous pride in being a part of the education system.  There is little doubt that professionalism is part of the national culture as well.  Being a teacher is one of the most highly regarded professions.  They accept approximately the top 10% into the education programs in Finnish universities, and all certified teachers must hold at least a master’s degree in education.  Even more impressive though was that they discussed brain-based learning, neuroscience, and pedagogy every day.  It was as if they were saying, “How can we effectively educate students if we do not understand the science behind how they learn?”  When a student struggled, whether behaviorally or academically, it became an opportunity for a teacher to showcase his or her skill, similar to how a skilled physician might successfully diagnose and remedy an ailment.  They did not need to mention the word “professionalism,” specifically.  Rather, it was simply the expectation of all.

The “R” stands for Relationships.  We often talk about getting to know our students more authentically.  However, with all that we must accomplish by the end of the school year, it often feels like an impossible task.  The Finns have a different interpretation.  They maintain that learning cannot begin in earnest until the relationship is established.  Studies of how the brain learns have proven that when a student has a positive relationship with the instructor, engagement increases considerably, which maximizes retention.  Using this premise, they assert that forming authentic relationships is not an add-on to teaching—it is the very foundation of teaching.

The final component of the equation is a word that was mentioned by every educator we encountered.  Unlike the word “professionalism,” the Finns mentioned this word more times than I could tally.  They will say that if any single word describes their education, it is “trust.”  It permeates all that they do.  Teachers are trusted to be curriculum and pedagogical experts.  Administrators are trusted to foster nurturing learning environments and set teachers up for success.  Policymakers are trusted to govern with the students’ best interest in mind.  Students and the community as a whole trust everyone in our profession to prepare the next generation by providing them with a truly world-class education.  This yields a system where the prestige of working in education becomes very attractive.

While this may seem like a chicken and egg conversation, I have come to believe that the first two components have to be present first.  When combined together, professionalism and relationships produce trust.  Thus, P + R = T.  It is, of course, relatively simple to list all of the reasons why this approach would not work in the U.S.A. and how culturally we would be comparing the proverbial apples to oranges.  Admittedly, there are factors that are very much beyond our control.  However, the key ingredients are very much within reach. 

Every one of us can commit ourselves to high professional standards in our work.  When I hear that someone is a professional or has turned pro, it conjures up images of someone who is at the very top of their game or area of focus.  Perhaps like me, your mind may go to a professional athlete or an incredibly skilled musician when you hear that term.  In any case, it means that a professional is among a very skilled few, and it is a good reminder to me that educators are no different.  We ARE the ones charged to have a unique skillset unlike any others when it comes to educating young minds.  We have a duty of care to continue honing our craft in order to be “on top of our game” at all times.  The classrooms, buses, and hallways are our stage where five-star performances occur on a daily basis.  Professionalism IS within our control.

Perhaps more than any other profession, we are in a very human business.  Anytime that humans interact with one another, relationships matter.  In the most human of all professions, it stands to reason that relationships matter most in education.  I wonder what would occur if every one of us made cultivating positive relationships with students our first priority.  Would engagement increase?  Would achievement increase?  Would discipline decrease?  Would it also lead to better adult relationships?  My gut says “yes” to all of these questions, and I’d love to find out the answer.  I challenge everyone (myself included) to remember why we entered into this incredible profession—to serve.  Fostering relationships is within our control.

If my theory is correct, then focusing on the “P” and the “R” will begin to yield a greater “T.”  No, I do not intend for this to be a rose-colored glasses narrative where I am trying to convince you that if you do these things, then society will suddenly embrace educators and never question your expertise.  Nor am I trying to suggest that by simply concentrating on professionalism and relationships that every building will become a utopia without issues and that suddenly we will vault to #1 on all of the world rankings.  What I am trying to suggest is that there is no secret to success.  Like anything worth achieving, it takes hard work.  It takes constant study and investment in building relationships, even when the person on the other end may be resistant.  I do believe that trust can grow.  I am also suggesting that I wholeheartedly believe that all of us are well within our capabilities as professionals to make an incredible impact, and if there is anything worth that effort, it is the future of our children.  I trust each of you to do exactly that.  I also trust that this is going to be an incredible year because of you.  Let’s get to work!

1 comment: