SPRING 2001
Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
effective educators for a diverse society
SPRING 2001
Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
effective educators for a diverse society
Woodring Hosts Finnish Educators
A group of twenty-three Finnish scholars flew to Seattle the week of April 9th to participate in the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Included in the group were professors from the University of Tampere and University of Helsinki, presidents, superintendents, and faculty of polytechnic colleges, and leaders in the business community.
Several of these international leaders were people who Dean Klein has worked with during the past four years. Also, some were known by Woodring faculty through their research and publishing.
During the AERA convention, Woodring hosted a reception in Seattle at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to honor these special guests. Many Woodring faculty and other educational leaders from across the country came to exchange ideas and talk about their different cultures and educational systems.
The
following day Woodring provided transportation for twenty of the
contingent for a day's visit to Western's campus. Here they learned
more about Woodring as well as Western Washington University. The day
included more meetings with faculty and administrators at Western
with opportunities for questions and discussions. They also toured
the library, science education building, and computer labs in Miller
Hall. The visitors were given the opportunity to participate in a
science experiment simulation, which was part of a regular science
methods class for undergraduate students at Woodring. They also
observed students working in instructional technology classes.
During lunch at Fairhaven College, guests from the community joined faculty and staff in enjoying genuine "American cuisine" &endash; barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, and baked beans. The Finns enjoyed the finger food, but were not without some wary looks at the baked beans and trepidation about corn on the cob!
The afternoon was topped off by a brief stop in Old Fairhaven where our guests were able to purchase souvenirs to take home. These accompanied the Woodring coffee mugs which, they assured us, would be used back in Finland during daily coffee breaks &endash; an important part of Finnish tradition. Boarding the vans after their shopping break, they headed back to Seattle via Chuckanut Drive and the Skagit Valley tulip fields.
Woodring and the Finns intend to continue communications with each other, and explore formal and informal ways for partnering in future projects and activities.All agreed it was a wonderful day with new friendships and professional contacts developed.
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