The following post is based on my YouTube video for Copper Island Academy, a Finnish-inspired school in Calumet, Michigan. Our partnership began earlier this year.
If you were to visit Copper Island Academy, you would immediately notice key aspects of its educational model. You would see Finnish-style brain breaks, hands-on programs (including culinary arts and studio education), and a love of country. But there is one attribute you might miss.
In today’s post, I will describe Copper Island’s culture of collaboration—the school’s secret ingredient. This collaborative atmosphere reminds me of what I experienced as a teacher in Finland.
The Finnish Teachers’ Lounge
Earlier, I wrote that students in Finland typically enjoy a 15-minute break within each hour-long lesson. Finnish teachers usually receive these breaks too. This arrangement works because educators in Finland take turns supervising students on the playground. In my experience, Finnish teachers spend most of their breaks inside the teachers’ lounge.
Initially, I didn’t see the point of visiting the lounge, so I avoided it. I remained in my empty classroom during break times, prepping lessons and sending emails. But three weeks in, I was confronted by a few Finnish colleagues.
They said they were worried I’d burn out because they hadn’t seen me in the lounge.
My mentor told me the staffroom was like an oasis where she could get refreshed by reconnecting with other teachers. Eventually, I told my colleagues I’d give the lounge a try. I didn’t spend every break there, but I tried visiting at least once a day. And over time, my perspective on the lounge changed.
I began to see the lounge as a resource room where I could give and receive teaching support. Inside this space, I saw my colleagues collaborating in different ways: they would brainstorm, problem-solve, grade, and plan lessons—usually over a cup of coffee.
Teacher Collaboration at Copper Island
At Copper Island Academy, teacher collaboration happens frequently. Teachers have regular meetings with their grade-level partners. They also have biweekly grade band meetings. Each day, Copper Island staff members have built-in opportunities to collaborate too.
During brain breaks, teachers head outside to supervise their students, and they usually have a few minutes to speak with one another. At lunchtime, Copper Island teachers prefer to eat together, enjoying each other’s company in the teachers’ room.
“I really am proud of our teachers,” said Jennifer Farmer, Copper Island’s principal, “and how much they—not just enjoy working together—but how much they’re committed to doing that work together.”
Jennifer said there is a constant flow of ideas among the staff. A teacher might suggest an idea, and others refine it.
“And then all of sudden,” she said, “it becomes a fantastic project that we end up having somewhere on our campus, another tool, another play area, another learning space that’s just organically developed out of their work together.”
For example, the school pioneered something called the Tsemppia Team. Tsemppia is a Finnish word, meaning “Keep going!” The Tsemppia Team supports staff by celebrating their birthdays, hosting fun events, and helping people going through difficult seasons.
This supportive teaching atmosphere is vital for any teacher, especially a new educator.
I spoke with Nikki Ziegler, a middle school ELA teacher at Copper Island, who recently completed her first year in the classroom. “If I didn’t have such a dedicated group of colleagues that I could fall back on when I was struggling,” she said. “I would be miserable.”
At Copper Island, teachers look to collaborate across grade levels. Earlier this year, the school celebrated a Finnish holiday called Laskiainen, and Nikki and her mentor teacher teamed up to complete a mural. Nikki’s middle schoolers and her mentor’s fourth graders collected handprints from every classroom and used them to create the Finnish flag. The shared project beautifully illustrated the collaborative culture at Copper Island.
It Takes a Village
Collaboration extends beyond Copper Island’s staff and students. The school recognizes parents as partners and invites them to participate throughout the year.
“We really do appreciate the wealth of knowledge that is available in our community,” said Jennifer Farmer. “And when I say our community, I don’t mean just our local zip code.”
Copper Island frequently welcomes visitors who can share their expertise with the students. Visitors range from a U.S. veteran to a baker to a representative from a local bank. The goal is to give the students an appreciation for different career pathways.
The collaborative spirit at Copper Island Academy runs deep. In 2020, many parents and community members came together to envision the Copper Island Way—a new model of education defined by outdoor play, real-life learning, and patriotism. Within a year, this Finnish-inspired school opened its doors to hundreds of K-8 students.
Check out my latest YouTube video to see Copper Island’s culture of collaboration in action!
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Tim Walker is an American teacher, writer, and speaker. He is the author of Teach Like Finland: 33 Simple Strategies for Joyful Classrooms. Inspired by his work in Finnish schools, Tim speaks internationally about play, trust, and joy in education. He also writes about global educational practices at teachlands.com.
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