A Teacher in Finland: What Does an Estonian Learn Through Job Shadowing in Finland?

Virolainen kemian ja historian opettaja Age Saks Tabasalun koulusta vieraili keväällä 2026 Euran yhtenäiskoulussa tutustumassa suomalaiseen kemianopetukseen. Tässä artikkelissa hän kertoo päivästään ja havainnoistaan.

In mid-April, more precisely on April 15–16, I had the opportunity to take part in a job shadowing visit in Finland, observing teachers at Euran Yhteiskoulu. Finland! A country whose education system we Estonians have admired for decades and from which we have adopted much ourselves.

The day began pleasantly: the sun was shining, the weather was warm, and I felt a sense of anticipation.

First impression? A warm welcome.

At the school, we were received like old acquaintances. My day was shaped by the kind and welcoming teacher Tarja Ylivuori, who teaches chemistry, physics, and mathematics. She first invited me into her chemistry class.

The lesson was with ninth graders, and I immediately felt that sense of familiarity – teenagers are teenagers everywhere in the world.

What did I notice?

The classroom and teaching materials were not significantly different from those in Estonian schools, but one detail stood out right away: the room was designed to support the chemistry lesson, not the other way around. All lab equipment was stored in cabinets along the walls, and each group could use “their own” cabinet with everything they needed inside.

The lesson began with a greeting and a brief introduction of me. Then the students were given the task of starting an experiment. The teacher explained the instructions clearly, showed the necessary materials – and then something happened that made me nod in approval: as soon as the explanation ended, the students knew exactly what to do. Lab coats on, long hair tied back – without any reminders. That says a lot about both habits and trust.

The topic of the experiment? Carbohydrates.

Since I wanted to take a closer look myself, I moved around the classroom, reviewing the experiment instructions, flipping through the textbook, and observing how students collaborated.

A textbook that made me think

One thing in the chemistry textbook caught my attention. In the Finnish textbook, the experiment was placed right at the beginning of a new topic. This allows students to start with practice and then move on to theory. Didactically, this is very clever: experience before theory.

In some Estonian textbooks (including those I use), experiments are often placed in workbooks rather than in the textbook itself. This made me wonder – which approach is better? And that is exactly the value of job shadowing: you notice things you otherwise might never question.

Two teachers in one lesson – luxury or necessity?

There was also a second teacher present in the classroom. Is that a luxury or a necessity? I would say it is a necessity. Why? Because it ensures that all students are supported – not just those who raise their hands. In a chemistry lesson involving experiments, it also means greater safety.

And then came a number that truly surprised me: a maximum of 16 students in a chemistry class. In the lesson I observed, there were 12–13. Compare that to the typical 24–25 students in Estonia. In a smaller group, the teacher can reach everyone, which provides a better overview and, I would argue, leads to more meaningful learning.

Both teachers remained calm at all times, even when some students needed extra attention. This calm atmosphere carried over to the students and made the classroom feel safe.

Why do I job shadow at all?

I have taken part in job shadowing several times in Estonia and once in the Czech Republic. Finland has long been a country whose educational practices we have learned from – and now I was able to see them with my own eyes.

Each time, job shadowing gives me three things:

• A sense of recognition – understanding where we are similar and what we can be proud of.
• New ideas – practical tips and approaches I can bring into my own classroom.
• Perspective – seeing what already works well in our system.

Many thanks to Euran Yhteiskoulu and all the teachers who welcomed me into their classrooms.

I hope we meet again – whether in Estonia, Finland, or… why not Naples!