Thanks to Ridgefield Academy’s Professional Growth and Enrichment Grant, Teresa Ghelman, Director of Teaching and Learning, traveled to Finland in August 2025 to take part in the Teachers’ Summer School HEAT 2025 (Helsinki Education in Action for Teachers). The weeklong program brought together educators from around the globe to explore Finland’s world-renowned approach to student-centered pedagogy.
HEAT is rooted in the Finnish national core curriculum and is best known for its emphasis on phenomenon-based learning—an interdisciplinary model that encourages students to investigate real-world themes through inquiry, collaboration, and critical thinking. Throughout the program, participants not only engaged in interactive, hands-on workshops but also observed Finnish educators in action and exchanged practices with peers in a supportive, collaborative setting.
Teresa’s days were filled with immersive experiences designed to extend learning beyond the walls of a classroom. She visited local schools, including both elementary and kindergarten programs, where she gained insights into Finland’s balance of structure and flexibility. She also participated in a biology and geography workshop at Suomenlinna, the historic sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Baltic Sea researchers wove together science, history, and outdoor learning. Other days took her into museums, forests, vocational schools, and even animal parks, offering a wide-ranging look at how Finland creates vibrant, interdisciplinary learning environments. Cultural touchpoints—such as traditional sauna experiences—rounded out her time, underscoring the Finnish belief in balance, well-being, and holistic education.
Reflecting on her time in Finland, Teresa shared: “My week in Finland was more than I ever hoped it would be. Both professionally enriching and personally inspiring, it was truly transformative. Experiencing student-centered learning in action was a great reminder that the love of learning is rooted in curiosity without competition or comparison. Sharing these powerful moments with educators from around the world, many of whom I now consider good friends, enabled me to really question what grounds us all to be genuinely inspired and encouraged to believe in ourselves.”When she returned to Ridgefield Academy, Teresa brought back more than just new ideas—she carried with her fresh strategies for integrating student-centered methods into RA classrooms.
Teresa noted, “I came back to RA with renewed energy and new strategies to spark student engagement and collaboration, empower our students in advocating for themselves, and support our faculty in creating dynamic learning environments while considering their own wellbeing too. The Finnish love to live and love to learn, and I couldn’t relate to this more!”
Teresa’s journey is a vivid example of how Ridgefield Academy’s Professional Growth and Enrichment Grant empowers faculty and staff to pursue transformative learning opportunities that enrich not only their own professional practice but also the broader school community. At Ridgefield Academy, we believe that when our teachers grow, our students thrive—and Teresa’s experience in Finland is a powerful testament to that commitment.
The love of learning is rooted in curiosity without competition or comparison.
What is RA/LP’s Professional Growth and Enrichment Grant?
The Professional Growth and Enrichment Grant is more than a travel stipend—it’s an investment in the entire Ridgefield Academy community. Our grant program is crafted to support all faculty and staff—not just classroom teachers—with a wide range of enriching professional and personal development opportunities.
Its impact includes:
- Encouraging Lifelong Learning – Supporting faculty and staff in pursuing passions beyond the classroom.
- Fostering Fulfillment – Helping employees explore personal and professional interests that enhance well-being.
- Promoting Global Perspectives – Funding international travel and cultural immersion experiences that bring new insights home to RA.
- Cultivating Leadership – Providing opportunities for collaboration, volunteerism, and community-building.
By empowering all staff to design experiences that inspire growth, the grant contributes to a vibrant, innovative, and resilient school culture.