Kalle Männistö from Honkajoki is named the Biology and Geography Teacher of the Year
The Finnish Union of Biology and Geography Teachers (BMOL ry) has chosen Kalle Männistö as the Biology and Geography Teacher of the Year 2024. He works as a lecturer at Honkajoki Comprehensive School and Upper Secondary School.
“Environmental education and promoting environmental issues are very important to Männistö. He has successfully developed learning environments and experiential learning, as well as promoted sustainability efforts in schools throughout the municipality. Männistö has implemented impressive development projects in collaboration with the school community and has shared their outcomes with others,” says BMOL ry’s chairperson Ritu Savolainen about the selection criteria.
Männistö says he feels lucky. “Now that I have the opportunity to teach the upper grades and high school at Honkajoki Comprehensive School, as well as work on various project tasks, it feels like I am in my dream profession. Even something small can be significant; a small high school unit can be a very effective promoter of environmental issues over a wide area.”
“Now that I have the opportunity to teach the upper grades and high school at Honkajoki Comprehensive School, as well as work on various project tasks, it feels like I am in my dream profession. Even something small can be significant; a small high school unit can be a very effective promoter of environmental issues over a wide area.”
Kalle Männistö
A few years ago, a new school was built in Honkajoki, which teachers and students were involved in its design. The students sowed meadows and wildflower patches in the yard, planted fruit trees and berry bushes, and there were also raised garden beds and a beehive. In a geography influence project, an ecosystem service brand was launched, under which honey and dried spices made from herbs from the local garden were included.
“The remaining part of the old school building was designed and turned into an environmental education learning center, the contents of which have been created by students. Digital skills were learned by creating augmented reality guideboards for meadow patterns and content for the virtual nature trail’s points,” says Männistö.
Männistö considers diverse cooperation to be essential for the effectiveness of environmental work. “With students, we visit the local motorsports area to diversify wasteland areas by creating new heat spots and meadows. We also quickly launched an invasive species survey, where our students acted as pilot testers, and eventually, the whole town joined in searching for invasive species occurrences.”
Variety and development opportunities are the spice of Männistö’s work. “In addition to traditional teaching, various projects and initiatives have emerged, which provide excellent opportunities to develop both my own and the entire school community’s activities and practices. The most rewarding and fulfilling development work is done together with the students.” Students are Männistö’s main source of motivation: their joy in academic success and enthusiasm and “aha” moments in various projects.
Männistö is grateful for the supportive work community that has made it possible to implement different ideas and enthusiastically engage in projects that deviate from traditional school routines.
Männistö graduated in 2008 from the University of Joensuu with a major in geography and minors in biology and education. He has also studied courses related to becoming a wildlife manager at the Central Ostrobothnia Rural Academy. Männistö has mainly worked at Honkajoki Comprehensive School and Upper Secondary School and has also taught at Karvia Comprehensive School. In addition to teaching, he has worked on environmental and nature-related projects, such as launching and coordinating butterfly monitoring in mountain areas and conducting surveys on butterfly species.
Translated into English from: Vuoden biologian ja maantieteen opettajaksi Kalle Männistö Honkajoelta
About Honkajoki Upper Secondary School:
Honkajoki Upper Secondary School has been a reliable partner with us, Finest Future, since 2021. The school provides a supportive and collaborative environment where students can grow academically and personally. The school offers a strong foundation in subjects like biology and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to explore their interests while gaining practical knowledge. With an emphasis on project-based learning, it prepares students for both higher education and real-world challenges.
Read more: HERE (Finnish only)
