Sanna Leinonen M.A.
SEN teacher and teacher trainer
Enthusiastic Teacher Trainer | Coach | Advocate for Professional Development
As an enthusiastic teacher trainer and coach, I excel at quickly grasping the big picture and challenging both individuals and teams to reach their full potential. My primary goal is to inspire teachers and educational teams to engage in continuous professional development, enhancing their performance and well-being in the workplace. I am dedicated to fostering sustainable relationships built on trust and collaboration, as I firmly believe that the best results are achieved through collective effort.
Since 2013, I have been the driving force behind Valiente – Coaching, where I have had the privilege of working with both international and Finnish teams. My work is grounded in the power of dialogue and the art of thinking and learning together. I am passionate about teachers’ professional development, organizational trust, teacher learning, and co-creation.
In my role as a coach, I emphasize the importance of creating an environment where open communication and mutual respect thrive. By supporting teachers and educational teams, I aim to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. My approach is centered on empowering educators to collaborate effectively, share best practices, and develop strategies that promote student inclusion and success.
With over 14 years of experience as a Special Needs (SEN) teacher in general upper-secondary education, I have been deeply involved in fostering inclusive educational environments. My work in special education has been instrumental in supporting students with diverse needs, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically and personally. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of inclusive practices and am committed to advocating for policies and strategies that promote inclusion in all educational settings.
Key Competences: Team Learning, Learning Organization, Professional Development, Worklife Coaching
Special Education (SPED)
Research Interests: Teamwork, Successful teacher collaboration for an inclusive scool, Building trust, Teacher efficacy and Teacher’s professional agency.
Through my work, I strive to make a meaningful impact on the educational landscape, ensuring that teachers are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
I have been awarded the Fulbright distinguished teacher award in 2017. I earned my M.A. in English at Tampere University and the teacher of special education certificate at University of Jyväskylä in 2010.
I have given presentations and workshops at many teacher conferences in FInland including SUKOL (The Federation of Foreign Language Teachers in Finland), ITK (Interactive technology in education), and EDUFI (Finnish National Agency for Education). For 7 years I have trained international teachers in various aspects of the Finnish educational system in collaboration with Learning Scoop.