Educating the Whole Child in Finland: A Collaborative InSpire Grant Experience for Mrs. Luciana De Benedictis and Ms. Eileen Pinero Rodriguez

The InSpire Summer Grant demonstrates our strong commitment to the talented faculty and staff who shape the St. Thomas experience for our students. This program supports educators as they pursue opportunities that foster both their personal and professional passions and inspire new perspectives they can bring back to their classrooms. By investing in our teachers, we reinforce academic excellence and sustain a thriving professional community.

Mrs. Luciana De Benedictis, School Counselor, and Eileen Pinero Rodriguez, Student Support Facilitator in the Center for Excellence, were two of our recipients of the 2025 InSpire Summer Grant. Together, they traveled to Finland to immerse themselves in an educational model deeply aligned with our commitment to educating the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically. Their journey provided powerful insights into how trust, play, and wellbeing shape one of the world's most respected educational systems.

 

 

A Shared Journey Into Education

Mrs. B's path into education began later in life but was shaped early on by a deep admiration for teachers and their lasting impact. Inspired by her grandfather, a college professor in São Paulo who built lifelong connections with his students, Mrs. B always sensed she was meant to work with children. After careers in banking and corporate leadership in Brazil and Spain, and a move to Miami in 2014, she followed her heart—earning a master’s degree in Counselor Education with a specialization in School Counseling from Florida International University.

Education found me later in life, but it was always part of who I was. I was inspired by the teachers who shaped lives through connection, and I knew I wanted to do the same.

Luciana De Benedictis, School Counselor

Ms. Eileen's journey spans more than 30 years at St. Thomas, where she has dedicated her career to supporting students not just academically, but also emotionally and socially. Throughout decades of service, she has worked closely with children and families to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and valued. Her deep relationships with students, families, and colleagues have helped shape the caring, connected culture that defines St. Thomas today.

Both educators describe St. Thomas as family and a place where colleagues become lifelong friends and where caring for one another is central to the school’s mission.

 

 

The InSpire Grant: Why Finland?

Mrs. B and Ms. Eileen's shared professional passion led them to apply for the InSpire Grant together. For years, they have collaborated on the PK and Kindergarten Playgroups program, designed to support social pragmatics, emotional intelligence, and a sense of belonging during the earliest years of school.

Finland, long regarded as a global leader in play-based, whole-child education, felt like a natural place to deepen this work. Inspired by Finnish educational philosophy and eager to see it in action, they embarked on a school tour across Finland to better understand how wellbeing, trust, and learning coexist.

Finland felt like a natural extension of the work we already do—where play, wellbeing, and belonging are essential, not supplemental. We wanted to experience a culture where this philosophy is so holistically implemented firsthand.

Luciana De Benedictis, School Counselor & Eileen Pinero Rodriguez, Student Support Facilitator

 

What They Learned From Finland

Throughout their visit, Mrs. B and Ms. Eileen observed how deeply education is woven into Finnish society. School is not viewed as a separate system, but as a shared responsibility among families, educators, and the broader community. Trust, equity, nature, and belonging guide every aspect of learning.

Teachers in Finland are highly respected professionals and are trusted with full autonomy to design curriculum, assess learning, and conduct research. Policies have remained stable for decades, allowing educators to focus on students rather than constant reform.

The concept of “less is more” stood out. Finnish students spend fewer hours in formal instruction, with frequent, intentional breaks that support emotional regulation and deeper learning. Early childhood education centers on play, exploration, and social-emotional growth, with academics introduced later. This philosophy allows children the time and space to develop foundational life skills.

Schools also prioritize identity and belonging. Language, culture, and religion are honored, outdoor learning happens daily, even in winter, and families are viewed as true partners in education.

What stood out most was the trust—trust in teachers, trust in students, and trust in the process of learning. Education there is about depth, balance, and humanity.

Eileen Pinero Rodriguez, Student Support Facilitator

 

 

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to school visits, Mrs. B and Ms. Eileen immersed themselves in Finnish culture and connected with educators from around the world. These shared experiences deepened their understanding of how cultural values like quiet confidence, humility, and collective responsibility shape educational practice in Finland.

They were especially inspired by Finland’s emphasis on wellbeing: movement throughout the day, outdoor learning, life skills such as cooking and self-care, and school environments designed to support both students and teachers. Mrs. B even put this emphasis into practice while in Finland by accomplishing a personal goal—running the Helsinki Marathon. Adding another completed marathon to her personal accomplishments list during this trip was a powerful reflection for Mrs. B on perseverance and balance, core values embedded in Finnish culture and values Mrs. B brings into her work with students and colleagues at St. Thomas.

 

 

Bringing the Learning Back to St. Thomas

Mrs. B and Ms. Eileen returned from this lifechanging trip with renewed affirmation of the work already happening at St. Thomas, and fresh inspiration to continue strengthening it. Their experience reinforced a core belief: when students feel safe, connected, and emotionally supported, learning in every area flourishes.

Using this experience, they are eager to further enrich the PK and Kindergarten Playgroups, deepen social-emotional learning practices, and encourage reflection across the school community around ideas such as trust, balance, and intentional pacing. Their journey also invites faculty to consider what “less is more” might look like in their own classrooms—whether through play, outdoor learning, deeper exploration, or stronger family partnerships.

From the classrooms we visited to running the Helsinki Marathon, this experience reinforced the importance of balance, perseverance, and caring for the whole self. I can't wait to build upon these already established values at St. Thomas thanks to the new perspective this experience has given me.

Luciana De Benedictis, School Counselor

 

A Transformative Experience

For both Mrs. B and Ms. Eileen, the InSpire Grant experience was deeply affirming and transformative. It offered validation of their shared commitment to belonging, wellbeing, and whole-child education and strengthened their resolve to continue supporting students in meaningful, lasting ways.

Their journey to Finland reflects the heart of the InSpire Summer Grant: investing in educators so they can bring new perspectives, deeper understanding, and inspired practices back to the St. Thomas community, ensuring that every child is supported, connected, and empowered to thrive.