This project took shape in a fairly quiet place.  I was (and still am) a high school science teacher and cross country / track & field coach in Royal Oak, Michigan.  As a husband and father, I’ve always worked hard to make learning in my classroom interesting and meaningful, while also prioritizing time with my family.  As a result, I have not been very active in professional networks or on social media.  However, the rise in mental health challenges for students after the COVID-19 pandemic left me searching for ways to help.  This led me to another quiet place, Finland.  The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program offered the opportunity to step out of the classroom and focus on three areas of interest: nature, sustainability, and well-being.  In Finland, the education system is renowned and in its own way, places special significance on my three primary research interests.  

This “toolkit” strives to summarize my four months of school visits, interviews, and research in Finland.  While I approached this opportunity with over 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher, it’s important to remember that there are researchers who have dedicated years of work to the topics I spent four months learning about in Finland.  I was fortunate to meet with some of the leaders in these fields and am very grateful for their kindness and generosity.  Their work is cited extensively throughout these pages.  

Upon arriving in Finland, my early research focused on nature education, especially in outdoor environments.  While I found many examples connecting experiences in nature to well-being, there was also significant overlap with sustainability.  While both well-being and sustainability are challenging and complex topics, they're similar in that improvements can come from steady, incremental efforts.  The notion that small steps can lead to a bigger outcome is echoed in a blog written by Alan Lyles titled "Finland's Lesson: Happiness Takes Work."  He states, "There is no secret. Being happy enough is not a gift like receiving a winning lottery ticket."  Likewise, fostering a nature connection is not a panacea, but it is one of many pieces that educators can work on to promote a better future for their students.  Despite the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, one could argue that the future is in the hands of humans more than ever before. 

While my research and experiences in Finland highlighted the importance of nature connections, it also served as a reminder of the significance of all the connections in our lives--family, friends, neighbors, teammates, colleagues, and many more.  I’m extremely grateful for the support that came from all of these important people during my time in Finland.  I'm also indebted to the Fulbright Finland Foundation, U.S. Department of State, IREX, the University of Helsinki Faculty of Educational Sciences, and Royal Oak Schools for their support of this project.  

Similar to my time in Finland from January to May, I hope this project will continue to sprout and produce new growth over time.  If you have ideas, suggestion, or questions that will help nurture the project, please send an email to tenhaveproject@gmail.com.  

~DRB