HEI Schools Supports Teacher Development for Colegios Diaconales, Chile

Santiago, Chile — HEI Schools recently partnered with Colegios Diaconales, a respected chain of schools in Chile, to deliver an intensive week of professional development for early childhood educators in Santiago. The training brought together nearly 70 teachers and education professionals working with children aged 3–8 years, reinforcing a shared commitment to innovative, child-centered learning.

The five-day program took place at Colegio San Esteban Diácono in Vitacura, where participants engaged in 35 hours of hands-on workshops, discussions, and collaborative reflection guided by HEI Schools trainers Karoliina Nygren and Emilien Joannoteguy.

Photo: Some glimpses of the 5-day workshop held at Colegio San Esteban Diácono in Vitacura

The initiative forms part of the network’s ongoing effort to strengthen its early years program, including the “Proyecto Exploradores”, which emphasizes play-based learning, autonomy, and active exploration inspired by the Finnish education approach. (Source: Colegios Diaconales. Instituto Finlandés capacita a equipos iniciales de la red diaconal.)

Bringing Finnish Pedagogy into Everyday Classroom Practice

Throughout the week, educators explored key elements of the Finnish early education philosophy, including:

• Child-centered learning and agency
  
  
• Play-based and inquiry-driven pedagogy
  
  
• Trust in teachers as professionals
  
  
• Collaborative learning environments
  
  
• Active exploration as a driver of curiosity and engagement
  

Photo: Educators explore Finland’s play-based approach to education. 

The training combined practical classroom strategies, group exercises, and reflective dialogue, enabling participants to translate theory into concrete teaching practices.

A distinctive feature of the program was its interactive and multilingual format, which included collaborative exercises, classroom climate analysis, and real case discussions to support reflective professional growth among teachers. (Source: Colegios Diaconales. Instituto Finlandés capacita a equipos iniciales de la red diaconal.)

First Secretary and Deputy Head of the Embassy of Finland in Chile, Mr. Antti Kauttonen, also joined the opening session, providing insights into the values and traditions behind Finland’s globally recognized education system.

Investing in Teachers to Drive Meaningful Educational Change

At HEI Schools, we believe that teacher development is at the heart of sustainable educational transformation. When educators are given time and space to learn together, reflect on their practice, and experiment with new approaches, the impact extends far beyond the training itself — ultimately benefiting both teachers and the children they serve.

The collaboration with Colegios Diaconales reflects a growing interest across Latin America in research-based early education models that prioritize children’s well-being, creativity, and active participation in learning.

Hugo Montes Ibáñez, Manager of the Colegios Diaconales network, shared:

“This has been a historic moment for our network, because we are refounding early childhood education.”

This statement highlights the strategic importance of the initiative and its role in shaping a renewed vision for early years education within the network.

Strengthening Educational Partnerships in Latin America

The partnership between HEI Schools and Colegios Diaconales highlights the increasing momentum behind Finnish-inspired education in the region.

For HEI Schools, working closely with local educators and school networks is essential to ensure that the Finnish early education approach is adapted meaningfully to each local context while maintaining its core principles of trust, play, exploration, and holistic development.

“We are grateful for the openness and commitment of the educators from Colegios Diaconales,” said Karoliina Nygren, Director of Pedagogy & Curriculum at HEI Schools. “Their curiosity and dedication to continuous development create the conditions for lasting impact in the classroom.”

Interested in empowering your teachers with Finnish-inspired pedagogy? Explore how HEI Schools can support your journey.

We invite you to discover our teacher training programs, designed to bring the best of Finnish early education into your classrooms through practical, hands-on learning. From onsite workshops to continuous professional development, our training solutions equip educators with the tools, confidence, and mindset to create meaningful learning experiences for children.

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About HEI Schools

HEI Schools transforms the world-renowned Finnish early education approach into practical and scalable solutions for schools worldwide. Through licensing and subscription models, HEI Schools provides:

• Research-based early education curriculum concepts
• Teacher training and professional development programs
• Pedagogical tools and learning environments
• Continuous support for school leaders and educators

Today, HEI Schools collaborates with educational organizations across multiple countries, supporting schools in delivering high-quality early childhood education inspired by Finland’s globally respected education system.