Teachers

Finland's curriculum can't be examined in isolation from their teachers. Their decentralized curriculum works due to the dedication and skill of their highly trained teachers as well as their strong teacher education program. Finnish teachers are trusted to plan and implement local curricular decisions based on the broad curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education. There are no teacher evaluations, school inspections or accreditation processes.
 * "//...Finnish teachers are drawn to the profession because of the regard in which it is held in relation to helping bolster and build a wider social mission of economic prosperity, cultural creativity and social justice that is central to the Finnish identity//."** (Hargreaves et. al, 2007 p.11)



"//Schools where practice teaching occurs have higher professional staff requirements, and supervising teachers have to prove they are competent to work with student teachers//" (Sahlberg, 2011) Teachers also aren't in it for the money...see why! Take a look at this clip (please only watch until 5:00- you can watch the rest later!)

Finland: Maintaining a Strongly Supported School System (Produced by the OECD and the Pearson Foundation)
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//"Teachers in finland are very independent. they can decide almost everything: how they will teach, what they will select from the basic (national) curriculum, when they will teach each particular topic. the fact that teachers have so much independence and respect influences young people as they are deciding what program they will follow in the university. if they choose teacher education they know they will be entering a profession that enjoys broad trust and respect in the society, one that plays an important role in shaping the country’s future."// -Olli Luukkainen,President of the Finnish Teachers Union (OECD, 2010 p. 124)