Teachers really matter: Connection before Content. A conversation with Jukka

“Students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care” (John C Maxwell). In this episode, Jukka Sinnemäki (PhD.), recipient of the 2019 Global Teacher Award, quotes John C Maxwell as he shares with us his experience, observations and findings that ”it is not what is poured into the students but what is planted that counts”. Jukka, from Finland, is an award-winning teacher, education thought leader and TEDx Speaker. In this episode, Jukka challenges us to rethink some practices and habits we may be taking for granted in our classrooms encouraging us to “stop often enough to be able to see the unseen” in our students. He emphasises the profound impact and influence of teachers as we help, support and encourage young people to realize their full potential. Inspired himself by a teacher who went an “extra mile” in his youth, Jukka believes that positive transformation in schools is possible even in a very short period of time explaining how relationships and wellbeing are at the very core of positive transformation. His child-centred approach to teaching and learning not only increases his students’ wellbeing, but also their learning results and motivation, proving that “success is a by-product of wellbeing”. Throughout his career in education, Jukka has continuously engaged in research, investigating important questions as they arise while trialling and exploring various innovative pedagogies. In his teaching, Jukka strives to make visible the development which he says is not usually seen in the report cards. Jukka’s unique, student-centred approach to co-designing and co-constructing the classroom environment with his students is a striking example of student voice and agency in action. You might see hammocks and bean bags in Jukka’s class for relaxation and reading as well as treadmills and other PE equipment and various technological devices, all with a particular purpose, all carefully chosen by the students and all contributing to the balanced, holistic development of the children and promoting their holistic wellbeing. Constantly trying to achieve balance between activity, stimulation and calm, quiet, presence, if it is evaluated that something is not benefiting learning and development, then a decision is made to take it away. In this episode, Jukka also reminds us of the importance of the 21st Century skills of communication and collaboration with those around us and across the globe for a sustainable future. In real, visible ways, Jukka shows value for students’ imagination, creativity, ideas and thoughts. “When students first enter our classrooms, what do they see, what do they feel?” Jukka asks. He gently encourages us to reflect and consider: How do we support students to become aware of their own uniqueness, dignity and intrinsic value as human beings? How do we connect with our students when we first meet? Can we listen before we teach? Can we see the unseen? When we, as teachers, come into the class, what comes in with us? Humbly hoping that he can make an impact as a “positive changemaker”, Jukka’s everyday teaching practices clearly embody the changemaker pillars of creativity, empathy, leadership and teamwork and more. Jukka reminds us that building a deeper connection with our students matters and advises that “Learning happens when you see the unseen in every child”. You can find out more about and get in contact with Jukka through the following contact details and links: jukka.sinnemaki@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jukka-sinnemäki-9045a922/ https://twitter.com/JukkaSinnemaki https://www.facebook.com/jukka.sinnemaki?ref=bookmarks http://knownow.fi/en/. You can view some of Jukka’s inspiring, thought provoking videos at the following links: TEDx – Stop Often enough to be able to see the unseen. Tedx - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6xVGkHjh6s&t=39s Jukka Sinnemäki teaching philosophy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyFbwz