Second Peer Learning Activity of TeachProgress
On 11-12th November 2025, EFEE and ECNAIS co-organised the second Peer Learning Activity (PLA) of the project 'Empowering Tomorrow's Educators: Education employers supporting the teaching profession through career progression structures' (TeachProgress) in Helsinki, Finland, with the support of hosting organisation AFIS – Finnish Association of Independent Schools. Oodi Central Library and Kulosaari Secondary School welcomed over 70 delegates from different countries to explore and identify good practices in relation to teacher career progression, both at system and school level, that could be applied in other contexts to improve motivation and satisfaction in the teaching profession.
Day 1: Identifying Good practices at system and school level
Heewon Bae (OECD) opened the day with a keynote on “Insights from TALIS 2024: Teacher career progression, motivation and satisfaction”.
Beatričé Leiputé (Visionary Analytics) presented preliminary results from the TeachProgress research team. The survey results confirm that teacher career progression frameworks across the EU are highly uneven, with significant differences in vertical and horizontal pathways and no common system. Administrative burdens remain a major obstacle, whereas recognition measures and simpler procedures appear to support motivation. Overall, the study points to the need for clearer, more flexible career structures, reduced bureaucracy and stronger cooperation between teachers, employers and authorities to make the profession more attractive and sustainable.
The programme continued with the panel “Connecting teacher career frameworks and professional development: from policy to practice” featuring Kay Livingston (University of Glasgow), Auli Toom (University of Helsinki) and Michelle Attard Tonna (University of Malta).
The following roundtable included the national perspectives of Finland and Malta, and stressed the need for flexible, diverse pathways that allow teachers to grow without leaving the classroom.
After a short break, the focus shifted to system-level good practices through presentations by Pavla Katzová (independent educational expert, CZ) and Isabelle Janssens (Leerpunt, BE).
In the afternoon, attention turned to school-level practices promoting teacher recognition and excellence. Peter Van Iseghem (Catholic Education Flanders, BE) presented the “Learning to Lead Together” programme, Fernanda Torres (Institute of Technical Education, PT) then showcased practices from a VET school in Lisbon.
Day 2: Teachers’ motivation and satisfaction in Finland: Kulosaari Secondary School as an example of good practices
The second day of the PLA started at Kulosaari Secondary School.
The programme continued with a session on the Finnish education system delivered by Marjo Vesalainen (Ministry of Education).
After a short break, a panel moderated by Silvia Pesini (EFEE) brought insights from Kulosaari staff: Richard Cousins (middle school principal), Erika PerttuliBorobio (visual arts teacher) and Saara Kylmänen (Finnish teacher).
The second Peer Learning Activity concluded with a guided tour of the school led by students, offered in different languages to reflect the school’s strong learning outcomes. The visit ended with a lunch hosted by the school.
