In FinlandWay®, we believe that our teachers are our greatest asset. This is why we are proud to introduce our FinlandWay® Teacher of the Year Award to recognise excellence in practice.
Our FinlandWay® coordinators were tasked to nominate one teacher from their team who truly represents FinlandWay® values and ethos. FinlandWay® Pedagogical Team reviewed every submission. To ensure a fair and unbiased process, each of our pedagogical mentor reviewed and assessed a school that they didn’t work with
Without further ado, we would like to announce that the FinlandWay® Teacher of the Year Award is awarded to Naïma El Ouali from Groupe Scolaire Benabdallah in Marrakech, Morocco.
Naïma fosters a wide range of skills in children by involving them in group activities, considering their ideas, using a play wall, and encouraging collaboration and initiative. She carefully observes each child and adapts her strategies to meet their individual needs. Across all learning areas, she emphasizes hands-on learning and experimentation. Naïma actively joins in the children’s play and uses playful tools like cards, puppets, building games, and natural materials – many of which are chosen by the children. She is well-liked by both parents and colleagues, who often seek her advice and input.
Interview with Naima from Groupe Scolaire Benabdallah in Marrakech (Morocco)
Winner of FinlandWay® Teacher of the Year Award 2025
Naïma has been part of the Groupe Scolaire Benabdallah team since it opened back in 2014. She saw the implementation of the FinlandWay® programme when it was first launched in Morocco back in 2019. Naïma was one of the first teachers to graduate from the FinlandWay® Maikka teacher training programme.
Congratulations on winning this award, how does it feel?
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for awarding me this prize and for the trust you have placed in me and my work. I would also like to thank my teachers for their trust, clear guidance, attentiveness and kind support throughout this journey.
I am honoured and touched to have received this award, it is a huge recognition. It is a motivation and an additional responsibility to continue to give my best.
It is also a source of pride for my school, Groupe Scolaire Benabdallah, which I love, and for my managers.
This award may encourage my colleagues to become more involved in these teaching practices.
What has FinlandWay® changed in your practice?
FinlandWay® has helped me grow in my teaching career. I have learned to better respect each child’s pace, to let them explore and make choices. I am more observant and provide supportive guidance.
FinlandWay® has taught me to value learning through play and active participation.
I have also thought about how to arrange the classroom to make it more welcoming, more functional and child-friendly, leaving more space for free play and independence.
I have learned to work by setting clear goals, to self-evaluate and to develop a spirit of research and innovation in my activities.
What have you particularly enjoyed?
What I appreciated most was the importance given to children, considering them as active participants in their own learning and that children learn by playing, manipulating and experiencing things for themselves. I appreciated that this experience with FinlandWay® allowed me to give new meaning to my profession.
Share one tip for good practice?
Take time to observe before intervening: this helps us better understand the child’s needs, emotions and interests, and how they interact with others. It allows us to adjust our interventions and give the child the opportunity to develop at their own pace.
Dare to innovate and be as creative as possible in the activities you offer children, while respecting the educational objectives. This creativity allows you to adapt activities to children’s needs, stimulate their curiosity and make learning more lively and motivating.
