Teachers are also perceived differently in Finland, having the respect and status of doctors and lawyers. They are trusted to know what they’re doing and receive much autonomy in the way they teach their classes. This is not the case when it comes to teachers in the United States. Teachers are rushed from task to task and have little control over what and how they teach. It doesn’t help either that in addition to being underappreciated, US teachers are underpaid for the vital work they do.

Education and equality are completely intertwined in Finland, and that’s not something the US can do overnight. But in order to proper in education, the US would do well to adopt a Finnish mindset of equality and cooperation in our schools and our culture.