Teach Like Finland

March 15, 2017

Walker, an American teacher working in Finland, outlines his personal experiences facing the philosophical and pedagogical differences between American and Finnish schools. These differences are often touted as evidence for American failures; however, the firsthand experience needed to implement change is not always available. Walker's text fills that gap by engaging in the conversation of differences and similarities in a practical way. Walker breaks down strategies he observes in Finnish schools into five major categories: well-being, belonging, autonomy, mastery, and mind-set. Within each category, he further develops the topic by looking at specific aspects such as learning on the move and pursuing a class dream. The overall tone is conversational, allowing the reader to join Walker on his journey of discovery. It is also very refreshing that Walker openly talks about his disagreements, revealing how he's come to his own application of certain techniques. He provides an engaging and eye-opening vision that does not pit America against Finland, but lets us see what we can learn from each other. VERDICT For teachers and education advocates who would like to understand one instructor's reflective quest toward educational improvement. [See Prepub Alert, 8/8/16.]--Rachel Wadham, Brigham Young Univ. Libs., Provo, UT

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