Teijo Nature School was audited
The Teijo Nature School, maintained by the Teijo Area Village Association, is part of the LYKE network, the Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools. When our nature school was founded in spring 2021, we applied for and received the LYKE Activity Center certificate from the organization's board. It stated that our operations met the umbrella organization's quality requirements and that we are allowed to use the name Nature School. The certificate is valid for three years at a time.
LYKE regularly reviews the quality of its operations through audits, which support and diversify the work of the network's branches and maintain the quality requirements of the LYKE certificate. The idea is that another nature school conducts a so-called peer audit. At the same time, the branches receive feedback from each other and can share their good practices.
Teijo Nature School was really lucky in the audits. We went to audit Mahnala Environmental School, whose activities we have long admired. Our environmental educator Hanna Raivikko talks about the April “study trip” to Hämeenkyrö: “Mahnala Environmental School is a true pioneer in promoting a sustainable lifestyle in the school world. It was a great experience to visit there! The visit also taught us lessons for developing our own operations. Mahnala Environmental School is not only the operations center of the LYKE network, but also the network’s development center. It therefore promotes and develops environmental education extensively in its own area of operation. In the future, this could also be possible at Teijo Nature School.”
The peer auditor assigned to us was unable to come to Teijo, so the LYKE office staff audited the Teijo nature school. Designer Satu Hiekko observed on site as Hanna Raivikko led a nature school day for the 4B class of the Elementary School. LYKE Executive Director Maija Ihantola also participated remotely in the feedback discussion held at the end of the day.
Grade 4B students from the elementary school are having a snack break on the shore of Lake Sahajärvi. In the last photo, they are having a reflection session related to a pair assignment. Photos: Marja-Sisko Ranta.
Hanna received very positive feedback from the fairy tale about her activities, and of course, a few excellent tips for developing the workshop were also noted. In the feedback discussion, we received strong support for the Village Association's most important goal, which is to establish the nature school. Marja-Sisko Ranta, the chairwoman of the Teijo Area Village Association, sums up: "What a great day! The feedback we received from the teachers at the Salo primary schools has been excellent. Now the quality of the activities has been proven by our umbrella organization. This strengthens our faith in the future of the Teijo Nature School."
To top it all off, Maija and Satu thanked us for the groundbreaking work we did and concluded by saying in chorus: “The audit passed with flying colors!” So Teijo Nature School proudly continues as a LYKE activity center.
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