Iiris Happo, a Fulbright Scholar from Finland specializing in early childhood care and education, will spend the academic year learning about our regional, state, and federal systems and sharing her knowledge and experience with community leaders and experts. Happo is a community partner with West Central Initiative (WCI) and is housed and hosted through the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMN Morris).
This fall, Happo will partner with WCI Director of Early Childhood Nancy Jost and Early Childhood Specialist Marsha Erickson. “We’re thrilled to have Iiris with us for the next year,” said Jost.
“Finland’s early childhood care and education system is one of the best in the world. We hope the result of this mutual learning experience will make a real difference for our children. They deserve the best care and education experience we can provide.”
WCI Director of Early Childhood Nancy Jost
At UMN Morris, Happo will be a member of the Division of Education and will teach Preprimary Theory and Pedagogy during the spring semester.
“The Fulbright Scholar in Residence program helps bring international perspectives to our work, connects UMN Morris students to new experiences and knowledge, and adds expertise to early childhood programming and policy discussions at the University as well as regionally, across the state, and nationally.”
UMN Morris Acting Chancellor Janet Schrunk Ericksen
Happo holds a doctoral degree in education and works for the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, the School of Professional Teacher Education, Finland, as a Principal Lecturer. She has taught early childhood education at the university level for several years and has been an early childhood educator for more than ten years. “I look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of the Finnish model of early childhood care and education,” said Happo. “In Finland, we use the edu-care system, meaning we incorporate individualized education into each child’s care plan. Importantly, we’re not teaching lessons—we’re combining education with play.”
During her time in the U.S., Happo hopes to provide lectures and workshops on early childhood care and education that would be open to all local educators and community members.
The Fulbright Scholar Program allows opportunities for academics, administrators, and professionals to teach, research, and complete professional projects in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more at cies.org.
“One year in the U.S. is a great opportunity to be a part of a diverse society and university,” said Happo. “I will get a deeper understanding about early childhood care and education, but also culture. This is an experience that can be achieved only by living in a different society.”
