Teacher receives surprise invitation from President for Finland’s Independence Day celebrations in Helsinki

A teacher at an elementary school in Helsinki, Johanna Lehtinen, was taken aback when she received a letter from the President of Finland, initially thinking it was a prank. “I was completely shocked. I examined closely what was included and how well such a letter could be forged,” she recalled with a laugh. The correspondence was, in fact, an invitation to the Independence Day celebrations, which this year emphasizes community spirit.

Lehtinen reflected on her unexpected recognition, noting that her role as a grassroots schoolteacher made the honor seem almost surreal. After a week of pondering the invitation, she realized that her efforts in promoting literacy in her classroom were likely the reason for her recognition. “I believe it’s due to the literacy work I’ve done with my students. I am also part of a network of development teachers in Helsinki, training educators to inspire reading among their students,” she explained.

Lehtinen teaches fourth grade at Keinutien School in Kontula, where her students have collectively read or listened to 9,410 books since first grade. They are aiming to reach a target of 10,000 books by the end of the month. Previously, she led a similar reading project, achieving a total of 5,000 books read from grades two to six.

Her classroom consists of 22 students who converse in up to 15 different languages, including many who are learning Finnish as a second language. Lehtinen emphasizes that the enthusiasm for reading is crucial, stating that she sees a direct connection between students’ reading habits and their academic performance, including in math tests. Her classroom is filled with books, encouraging students to read whenever they finish other assignments, as she believes that fostering a love of reading is essential for their education.