A good teacher understands students – the Top Teachers of the year were voted

Vaasa University of Applied Sciences and Student Union VAMOK awarded the teachers, who have been chosen by students as the best in the academic year 2024–2025. The Top Teachers are chosen every spring based on the feedback from students. The Top Teachers this year are Teija Honkaniemi from Health Care and Social Services, Jan Nyman from Technology and Jukka Niittykoski from Business.

This year, student feedback emphasised student-centred teaching as well as the teacher’s empathy and friendliness. According to the feedback, students also appreciate concrete examples and a practical approach, which help make even more difficult subjects easier to understand.

The awarded teachers were honoured by the recognition and accepted it with humility.

“This came as a complete surprise, and of course, it felt really nice! I truly appreciate the feedback I’ve received from the students,” says Senior Lecturer in Energy and Environmental Technology Jan Nyman.

Teija Honkaniemi Senior Lecturer in Nursing, rejoiced the positive feedback from students: ”It feels wonderful and genuinely heartwarming that my work is appreciated. Thank you for this recognition – it motivates me to continue with even more enthusiasm!”

”It feels good to see that students appreciate my way of teaching,” tells Jukka Niittykoski, Senior Lecturer in Business Economics.

Diverse teaching methods and strong professional skills inspire students

The Top Teachers are all highly skilled professionals in their respective fields. Before becoming a teacher Honkaniemi worked in Vaasa as a children’s nurse and in Tampere as a head nurse and acting chief nurse. Prior to teaching Niittykoski worked in a family business in furniture retail and Nyman in various environmental planning roles in both the public and private sectors, specialising in land use planning and environmental impact assessments and studies.

Niittykoski, who has been teaching at VAMK since 2002, teaches various financial administration courses. “I try out different new teaching methods when they come along, but my main motto is that you learn by doing!”

”Best thing in teaching are simulations and concrete examples from working life. It is motivating both for students and teacher when theory, actual doing and enthusiasm come together,” recounts Honkaniemi who has been a teacher at VAMK since 2003. She teaches courses both remotely and in-person, but enjoys classroom teaching the most, as face-to-face interaction with students creates new ideas and interesting discussions.

Nyman, who has been teaching at VAMK for just over a year, teaches vocational subjects in the field of energy and environment, such as air protection technology, geographic information systems, and renewable energy. Nyman says he uses some traditional methods like lectures and exercises but increasingly incorporates them with various research and project assignments.

“My basic approach is to use work-oriented teaching with diverse methods. For example, analysing completed projects and applying the theory to practical exercises.”

The best part of the job is interaction with students

All three Top Teachers feel that the absolute best part of their work is the interactions with students.
”You always learn something new from the students. You can share thoughts with them and challenge yourself and your views,” Honkaniemi summarises.
”It’s great to see when you spark enthusiasm in your students towards the topic you are teaching,” continues Niittykoski.

”Besides students, our colleagues and nice working environment make the job worthwhile,” Nyman adds.

Pian on kuitenkin ansaitun kesäloman aika. Kaikki opettajat aikovat rentoutua ja ladata akkuja.

It’s soon time for a well-deserved summer vacation. All the teachers plan to relax and recharge their batteries.
”I enjoy the nearby nature and might head to Lapland for some hiking,” Nyman muses.
“In addition to spending time at the cottage with my family, I’ll be taking part in dog shows with our dogs, which adds a fun change of pace to the summer,” says Honkaniemi.
“My summer plans include rest, travel, and lots of exercise,” states Niittykoski.

In the picture from left Jukka Niittykoski, Teija Honkaniemi and Jan Nyman.