We write this blog post as a dialogue of Samuel’s experiences in Finnish professional teacher education (PTE) program and teaching in Proakatemia in TAMK. In Ghana Samuel had worked as a teacher and gained a deep appreciation for classroom leadership, a well-structured approach to teaching knowledge, and being resourceful. His mindset changed profoundly after entering into the unit for entrepreneurship and team leadership at Proakatemia.
He found that learning at the Proakatemia is not achieved through lectures but by self-directed team enterprises, dialogue and project work. Teacher’s responsibility is not to impart knowledge but to facilitate learning and coach/mentor the students. He found it difficult, but also very exciting, to make 10 years experiences in Ghanan teaching and coaching fit the team-coaching format at Proakatemia and reflecting these experiences in PTE-program in TAMK.
Today in October 2026 Samuel teaches in Austria in ABIS (Anton Bruckner International School) International Baccalaureate (IB) students.
Integrating Four Educational Worlds
Samuel’s experiences represent unique and multi-faceted angle on education, having moved from country to country. Here is some ideas that he thinks is essential in the pedagogy of the four countries he has taught:
- Ghana: The adaptability, community engagement and essential discipline in teaching
- Germany: Strengthening accuracy, structure and clarity in organization of teaching practices.
- Finland (Proakatemia): Learned the concept of trust, dialogue coaching, and learner autonomy.
- In Austria, all these foreign experiences come together and are integrated into everyday pedagogy.
The practical session of the PTE-program Samuel implemented at Proakatemia was a great proof for him of how well the education program of pedagogical qualifications in TAMK offers
flexible opportunities to get experience and learn different perspectives for international pedagogical professionals who live all around Europe.
TAMK Professional teacher education preparing teachers for a global pedagogic workforce
Going beyond the borders of teaching is not only about gathering international experiences, but also about adding to our pedagogical tool box. The blend of the good points of West Africa’s teaching methods and the cooperative team approach of the Nordic countries has enabled Samuel to develop critical thinking, initiative and collaboration in my Austrian classroom.
International students in TAMK’s PTE program as well as many international projects developing teacher education globally have brought broad and multifaceted insights of pedagogy and teaching practices all over the world. Katariina is currently involved in developing vocational education and training for textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries in Europe, technical and vocational teacher education programs in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as the PTE-program in TAMK. Her pedagogical ideal is to invite teachers and learners to interact and make different perspectives to cross borders, challenge and search for new perspectives in studying the substance and qualifications the curriculum offers. Dialogue with us in co-writing this blog post has been one particular example of making our persectives to interact.
Written by:
Samuel Arthur a Student from the Programme of Professional Teacher Education at the Tampere University (TAMK).
Katariina Hakala, senior lecturer, TAMK, Pedagogical innovations and culture