1. Why did you choose to work at Schildt Upper Secondary school as a guidance counsellor? How did you get there?
I started in this school as Finnish and literature teacher. I was actively involved in association of Finnish teacher, got to know there a teacher of this school who happened to be pregnant. So I walked to Ari Pokka's office telling that I could come if he would need me. the rest is history :D I have been working here for 16 years. I used to be responsible for the immigrant students, teaching them Finnish as foreign language. That led me to guidance counselling: I have always have very non-formal relationship with my students and that is necessary in my actual job. I also got very quickly tired of the big groups I was teaching Finnish to. I was correcting papers and couldn't see the people behind the papers any more. For me much more natural is the direct contact with students. What I also like in my actual job is the feeling of really helping the students. That is very very motivating.
2. What skills and training are necessary for your position?
- you have to be teacher first and then you take 1 and 1/2 years more at the University - where you have to first get in. Also to that training there are the entrance tests you have to pass. In Finland all the upper secondary teachers have bachelor and master degree from the University to start with... That means approximately 6-7 year studies at the University to achieve your basic diploma.
In my profession it is obligatory to have training all the time - we have to update our knowledge of education all the time to be able to talk about further studies with our students.
3. How did you acquire these skills? Through school? On the job?
In training and in LIFE. :) The job teaches you, for sure.
4. What personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important here?iz
Ability to listen. Empathy. Understanding of psychology. Patience. Ability to put your own views and opinions aside. Knowledge of systems: labour market, further studies. Ability to network widely in society. Ability to encourage young people.
5. What do you think is the main difference between the Voionmaa and Viitaniemi locations?
There are no big differences, I have worked in Voionmaa before coming here and I would say that there are no big differences.
6. What is your favourite thing about the students at Schildt?
We have all kind of students, so it is impossible to have a picture of a Schildt student. I hope that the students take responsability and initiative, are curious and sociable. I am responsible for our International activities - which are numerous! and that is part of future planning of the youngsters. we live in a global world and my dream is that we don't educate 'True Finns' but global citizens in our school.