Pankratz, Dodson Educator, Pens Letter from Fulbright in Finland

Like many of the young writers in my classes, I wonder where to start. I struggle with reflecting in enough depth about the experience that was Fulbright Finland's orientation. I come to terms with the actuality that whatever I write will do and that my readers are genuinely more interested in this Fulbright experience than in my overthought composition of the adventure. So here goes...

During the orientation (January 23-25), I was confronted by the warmth of the Finnish Fulbright staff, the realization of wanderlust manifested, a grounding curiosity around Finland's exceptional public education, and how it may stand to benefit our students within the Montana context. As I worked to process all this after orientation, I walked through Helsinki's Nordic markets, perusing the various seafood offerings, decadent pastries, and eventually stopped at the Moomin store (a children's fairytale by Finnish author Tove Jansson).

Orientation began with a gathering of U.S. stakeholders in education/Fulbright grantees, which included K-12 administrators on an intense two-week program, distinguished scholars in Finland for anywhere from a few months to a semester, and the distinguished award in teaching research awardees for K-12 educators on a three to six month research period. Our varied professional group included a Stanford University physics professor, an administrator at a Minnesotan school for the deaf, and the Finland Four (a term we creatively coined), which are K-12 educators, among many others.

It started with a meet and greet among grantees and the Fulbright Finland team in Helsinki. It was lovely to finally meet Mirka and Heidi, who had both been vital in the process of getting to Finland. Tehri, Fulbright Finland's CEO, set the tone for the warm reception or tervetuloa. It was a gesture of genuine welcome and left a lasting impression. The importance of international collaboration, together shaping the future, was emphasized.

We then gathered with our roundtable discussion groups after traveling to Espoo on day one. I didn't know it then, but this would be a highlight of my orientation experience, partly because of its connection to my inquiry project. My inquiry project revolves around the creation and existence of professional learning communities founded on knowledge exchange among the participants as a form of meaningful professional development for in-service educators. Sitting in the Espoo conference room, I listened intently as the alumnae shared their current teaching positions, a bit about their time as Fulbrighters, and then shared their unscripted responses to our (the Finland Four's) inquiries. Not only was it amazing to hear their perceptions and ideas around the posed inquiries, but it was also enlightening to witness a platform for the sharing of educators' voices without the interference of bureaucrats. My teacher-advocate heart was bursting. Thank you, Fulbright Finland, for valuing teacher voice and knowledge.

After the introductions, we ventured downstairs for an experience with the sauna and an ice swim. It was exactly as it sounds: a process of neurological shock. We neared a partially frozen forest pond with a sizeable area thawed near the ladder. A sign just on the end of the walkway could be roughly translated to harmless and temporary suffocation, and yet we all partook. While the process gave me a sense of independence and thrill, nothing was graceful about my dip into the dark and near-freezing pond. My colleagues joked that it looked like the recording was fast-forwarded once the water hit my shoulders and out of the mysterious waters I flew. Then we were directed to the sauna. Needless to say, I slept well that evening.

Over the next few days, we were given a brief introduction to the Finnish language. It was a great way to remove some of the intimidation around learning this beautiful language of compound words. We were also presented with the history of Finland in forty minutes by a Finnish educator, and the history told a tale of a resilient people.

Before I get too far into the next bit, I admit that I'm partial to all things literature and have spent a small fortune on books, only to read them and pass them along to the next ambitious reader. So perhaps without surprise, the tour of Helsinki's Oodi Library was jaw-dropping. The library was intentionally designed to bring people in. Meaning that it is a welcome space for all. The contemporary design is profoundly complex but simply open with much of its design inspired by nature. While the first floor contained a small cafe with tables to grab coffee or kahvia, chess tables were readily available for any willing strategists. The overall design allows for the inclusion of small children's chatter and a discussion among friends to cause minimal disturbance due to the acoustic design. But perhaps the most impressive feature is the building's staircase. Our tour guide shared that public building projects in Finland must designate a certain amount of funds for artistic inclusion. In the case of Oodi, the dusky, winding inner stairway is covered in white words that serve as building dedications. But rather than speckling the walls with the names of Mr. and Mrs. Jones and other wealthy benefactors, the Finnish words translate to dedications for the mothers, the fathers, the lovers, the sinners, the tyrants. There is a dedication for the whole of humankind. It was an honor to experience this library, filled with chatter, with life, and I'm humbled and excited to go back to Oodi Library in April to speak with The Association of Teachers of English.

The culminating event for orientation was held in the Sibelius Upper Secondary School. The original school for troubled boys was founded at the start of the twentieth century. The charming architecture of the building astonishes visitors upon arrival. While Sibelius is no longer a school solely for boys, it now serves as a highly competitive upper secondary school focused on music and dance instruction. The students receive instruction in regular academic subjects but are also offered various music and dance courses.

My mind keeps circling back to the brief concert performed by a small group for our Fulbright crew. The finale featured an ensemble of stringed instruments and voices. The song shared a lament of lost love, and it is the background music in the video I've shared. It was haunting, and the audience was moved. I was moved, but I couldn't help but think about the power of educators during the performance. If not for the talented educators who had instructed these exceptional students, this amazing talent may not have been fully realized. As I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes, I thought about the many invaluable teachers who played a major role in my life. I couldn't help but think of the importance of educators in creating all professions. As a fellow teacher, Charles Chip McNeal, said, "Teachers...are teaching to the hope of a nation...teaching to the potential of a world. Might we value that more?" And while the theme of the tune appeared to be a strong juxtaposition to my thoughts, I felt as though that performance was dedicated to all the teachers who continue to show up and give their best every single day. As the song ended, I sat among my fellow educators, also wiping the corners of their eyes, and I felt an undeniable sense of welcome and appreciation. Kiitos, Fulbright Finland.