Hello, I am Kaarina Ryytty, a language teacher (English and Swedish)
at Onkilahden Yläaste. I like working in our school although
the building is really in bad shape. The atmosphere of Onkkari is
encouraging for both the teachers and pupils. Our school is no castle
for Sleeping Beauties! Among other things we take part in projects
like "European Network of Health Promoting Schools" and in
"Entrepreneurial Education" which is an international scheme.
Our foreign partner schools are in Sweden and England. It was
really interesting to visit one of them, Thurston Upper School in
Suffolk. Teaching has also become more challenging
with optional subjects which even language teachers can offer
to their pupils.
I grew up in a big family with two sisters, four brothers and with
straightforward parents who never gave up when we were small.
In my opinion the valuable lessons I learnt in my childhood have
helped me most in my work as a teacher.
The two pictures of my family and me were drawn by my
daughters when they were five and ten years old. My
husband is also a teacher. It helps a lot especially
in summer! I spend most of my time with my kids. I also
try to keep fit by bodybuilding, walking, jogging or
biking. There is "a crazy crew" at Onkilahti who play
floorball once a week. That is very relaxing.
If I am sometimes tired of teaching I try to remember what
Henry van Dyke writes:
"Be glad of life
because it gives
you the chance
to love and to work
and to play and to
look up the stars."
