Hello!

I’m Katja, a special needs teacher since 2005. In my career I have had great moments with very different children and young people. My mission is to help and support students to move forward in their learning paths. Helping students to accept certain facts and helping them to discover their own inherent strengths and skills.  Every learning path is unique, just like every student. My students have faced a wide range of learning and behavioural challenges. A wide range of diagnoses and statements have become familiar. So the expertise is there for just as many types of support and practical, concrete ways to support them. Whether the challenges are big or small, we will find ways!

A solution-oriented, life- and practice-oriented attitude characterises me. Working with children and young people has always felt like my own, and with a good sense of humour and nerves of steel, I can go a long way. Meeting each person as themselves is my main strength in all my teaching work. An accepting, supportive and positive approach is at the heart of my pedagogy. I am also enthusiastic about animal assisted learning and about using different experiences of nature.

MAIN EDUCATION
Master’s degree in education, major in special education. University of Jyväskylä, 2005.
• Special education 112 credits
• Multidisciplinary studies in subjects taught in primary school 60 credits
• Early childhood education and care 35 credits
• Pre-primary and primary education 15 credits
• Language and communication studies 8 credits
• Other studies 22 credits
• 35 credits of pedagogical studies for teachers included in the diploma

Bachelor of Education, University of Jyväskylä, 2003.
• Educational science, especially early childhood education 35 credits
• Studies providing professional preparation for early childhood education and pre-primary education 35 credits
• Pre-primary and primary education 15 credits
• Early years special education 15 credits
• Other studies 26 credits

Diploma in educational administration 15 credits. November 2022.

OTHER EDUCATION

Specialised training in career guidance. JAMK/JYU 2023

Master’s degree in Management and Development in the Social Sciences. Savonia, Kuopio. (pending)

Organisation of animal-assisted welfare services / 2022

WORK EXPERIENCE:
9.8.2018 – NOW
Special Education Teacher / Vieremän municipality
• Vice Principal / Vieremän South School 2021–2022
• Establishment of a small classroom for demanding special support in a secondary school and teaching of a small class. Overall responsibility for classroom activities.
• Membership of the school’s pupil welfare team
• Teaching of primary school 0-2th class
• Teaching special needs in the primary school

1.8.2015 – 8.8.2018
Special class teacher / Lapinlahti municipality
• Teaching a small class in a secondary school. Planning and implementing lessons, preparing pedagogical documents.

1.8.2012 – 31.7.2015
Special needs teacher / City of Iisalmi
• Special education in grades 7-9
• Member of the school’s TUPA (support services) team. Planning, development and coordination of special education.
• Curriculum work

1.8.2005 – 31.7.2012
Special class teacher / Lapinlahti municipality
• Activity-based teaching, grades 0-9
• Overall responsibility for a separate unit

22.11.2004 – 4.6.2005
Substitute class teacher / City of Iisalmi, Kilpijärvi school
• Teaching first grade

HOBBIES
Walking with dogs, hiking, reading, swimming, studying, volunteering in MLL