Course Schedule

Core Activities

Day 1

Introduction to STPM - Building connections

Begin with an active introduction to the Smart Teachers Play More (STPM) approach, highlighting Finland’s innovative education model and cultural heritage through "The Finnish Corner." Connect with European colleagues in ice-breakers and a social gathering at Helsinki’s iconic library, an inspiring hub of culture and creativity, setting the tone for a transformative week.

Day 2:

Foundations of positive psychology (PS)

Discover the principles and methods of Positive Psychology, a science-based approach to enhancing well-being and happiness using the PERMA model as a guiding framework. Learn the importance of creating healthy habits and explore key benefits, including increased happiness, calmness, nurturing well-being, and boosting mutual respect. This course day provides practical insights to foster a supportive and positive classroom environment while empowering teachers to take meaningful, positive action for their own well-being and growth. It also introduces mindfulness and breathwork as effective tools for stress management.

Day 3: 

Discovering and developing character strengths

Explore your unique character strengths and learn how to harness them to boost happiness, motivation, and personal well-being. Engage with practical tools and strategies to help your students identify their own strengths, build a skill bank, and set meaningful, motivating goals that boost confidence and growth.

Implementing Mindfulness with "Now Minutes"

Using the concept of "Now Minutes," learn step by step how to implement mindfulness, meditation, and calming activities into daily classroom routines. Discover how calm activities can also be integrated with academic objectives to create a balanced and focused learning environment.

The Finnish educational system

We will conclude the day with an introduction to the Finnish school system, providing essential background knowledge in preparation for the upcoming school visit.

Day 4

Interactive school visits and reflection

Participants will spend the day visiting a Finnish school tailored to their teaching stage or subject area. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to gain inside knowledge, interact with Finnish educators and students, and explore the Finnish school system firsthand. Through conversations and observations, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the practices that make Finland's education system stand out. At the end of the school day, we will come together as a group to reflect on the visits, share insights, and discuss how these experiences can inform and inspire your own teaching practices.

Day 5:

Value checking and visual goal-setting

Gain clarity on your core values through simple, reflective exercises that highlight what truly matters to you. Explore the difference between values and goals and understand how aligning them can positively impact well-being and motivation. Discover how visual tools, such as vision boards and other creative visuals, can reinforce commitment, keep goals in focus, and inspire consistent action toward personal and professional growth.

Sharing inclusive practices - A European dimension

Share and be inspired by positive practices in a collaborative session where participants exchange successful classroom activities and ideas from schools all over Europe.

Day 6: 

Developing emotional vocabulary and positive classroom interventions

Discover the power of emotional vocabulary as a key tool for understanding and managing emotions. Engage in role play and core movement games that introduce and provide opportunities to explore emotions and encourage meaningful discussions in a safe and supportive setting. Experiment with small interventions that can shift mindsets and improve physical and emotional well-being.

The positive classroom action plan

Using digital collaboration tools, create an actionable plan to implement positive interventions in your teaching practice. Select specific strategies that align with your goals and define short-, medium-, and long-term actions to promote engagement, resilience, and focus in your classroom. Strengthen your commitment through collaborative discussions and shared intentions, and conclude with course evaluation and feedback to ensure clarity and direction moving forward.

Day 7

We’ll spend our final day together at the Helsinki City Museum, reflecting on the week’s experiences and insights. This time will also be an opportunity to strengthen the connections formed with new friends, celebrating the journey and looking ahead to future collaborations.