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Pirjo Väli-Torala dreamed of being a teacher from an early age as she enjoyed school so much. Twenty years as an upper secondary school language teacher has also taught her as a teacher. Even in the midst of reforms, she thinks it important for a teacher to have time to meet a student as a person.

As a teacher, Tuula Herkepeus, the principal of the Kivimaa school, saw how important a teacher is for a child's growth. Now, as a principal, Tuula is happy to have a committed and motivated work community around her. Everyday work is guided by courage, kindness, freedom and responsibility.

When Annukka Hulkkonen graduated from the University of Oulu in 1996, early childhood education had only been accepted as a university subject a year earlier. Hulkkonen was the only student in her class to have completed a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Throughout her long career, she has seen an increase in the prestige of the sector but also an increase in the complexity of the work.

Samira Ouazizi is studying to become an early childhood education teacher and, as a teacher, she wants to guarantee for every child a safe opportunity to develop on their own. It is an important job, but the importance alone is not enough to make up for the shortage of teachers. Samira has a clear opinion on the matter: more salary.

Reetta Nisonen teaches visual arts for students in both upper comprehensive school and upper secondary school. She also acts as an internship instructor for teacher students. She feels motivation plays a big role in the work of a teacher. She has a clear message for the teacher students concerned about the complexity of the work: the most important thing is not to be perfect but to be present as a human being to learners.

Joanna Lukkarila teaches primary school pupils in the middle of Helsinki's vibrant city centre. For her, the ultimate meaning of a teacher's work is worth defending: to defend society's equality and provide a fair and caring growth environment for children.

Jonas Lagerström, a University Lecturer in economics, says that setting goals high motivates students and makes them work harder. The teacher's role also includes helping students understand their own potential and get rid of unnecessary prejudices.

Kristiina Mutka-Vierula is a long-standing teacher who wants to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship and community in her work. Still, the best thing about being a teacher at a University of Applied Sciences is seeing how your work as a teacher drives students' professional growth.

It is important for Aleksi Vehmassalo, an early childhood education teacher, to offer children a safe childhood and growth environment. His work is guided by equality, children’s joy, and the relevance of work. He has a clear solution for the shortage of teachers in the sector.

Finns consider teachers to be one of the most important occupational groups for the country's future. Almost everyone appreciates the work done by teachers very much. The information is based on a study by Taloustutkimus market research company commissioned by OAJ. OAJ's Chairman Olli Luukkainen is happy with the results but reminds that appreciation must also be shown by deeds.

OAJ's Executive Board has awarded the the Education Influencer of the year award to all Finnish teachers. Olli Luukkainen, the President of the OAJ, announced the recipients of the recognition at the teaching and education sector event Educa that was held online this year.

The special regulations applicable to the working hours of early childhood education teachers and special teachers working at private daycare centres as well as the heads of daycare centres will remain nearly the same for the next two years.

The Kiky hours in their current form will be removed from the state special education institutions’ teaching staff from 1 August onwards. For other employees covered by the Collective Agreement for State Civil Servants and Employees Under Contract, the hours will be removed from 1 October onwards. The Kiky negotiation result concerning the state special education institutions’ teaching staff was reached last week in negotiations with the Office for the Government as Employer.

The AVAINTES collective agreement, negotiated by OAJ and Avainta Employers, is in line with the labour market’s general policy. The duration of the agreement period, beginning retrospectively on 1 April, is 23 months and the agreement’s total amount of salary increases corresponds with the general policy. The working time regulations of the Competitiveness Pact will be removed from 17 August 2020 onwards.

The negotiating organisation Sote, which comprises Tehy and Super, blocked the public sector employees’ conciliation solution. Now, Public Sector Professionals JUKO is proposing to negotiate with Local Government Employers without Sote.