The "five past five" drew Rosario Fina’s attention to Finland

Curiosity turned the unknown into the familiar

Fina was born in southern Italy, in the region of Campania, near Salerno. The idea of becoming a teacher never even crossed young Fina’s mind; instead, his daily life was filled with sports, particularly volleyball. His other plans for the future revolved entirely around one theme.

– Even as a teenager, I knew I’d travel abroad. I wanted something bigger and I let my dreams run as wild as I possibly could.

This desire to travel and see the world also led his academic interests to shift from one field to another, until, in the summer of 1995, waiting for a bus in England cemented the direction of his studies.

– I was on a language course with my friends and we were waiting for a bus with some Finnish teenagers we didn’t know. We couldn’t understand a word they were saying until we heard the words "bussi, bussi, bussi". My friends and I started mimicking that phrasing. Later, someone asked in Finnish what time it was, to which another replied, "viis yli viis", "five past five’". The melody and rhythm sounded so funny that we started mimicking that again.

Sharing a laugh eventually brought the groups waiting for the bus closer together and sparked Fina’s interest in learning an unfamiliar language. With the help of scholarships, Fina travelled to Finland for the first time in 1997, and towards the end of his studies, a university lecturer encouraged him to apply for a scholarship once more.

– I thought I wouldn’t be going back, but my lecturer wouldn’t give up. I arrived in Finland to complete my master’s thesis in 2002, and I never returned back.

Although Fina graduated with a master’s degree in Finnish language and literature, moving to Finland and his previous studies did not mean a clear career path. Over the years, he has gained experience across various levels of education, from early childhood education and care to adult education, from vocational training to university and private education.

– I’ve taught practically everything imaginable at many different levels. My pupils have ranged from babies to grandads, jokes Fina.

A teachereducator

A varied career with its various turning points has shaped Fina’s way of thinking. Learning a new language, living between cultures and working in different environments have taught Fina to see things from multiple perspectives. One significant turning point was linked to Fina’s teacher training in Tampere.

– During my teaching placement, my supervisor gave me the feedback that "Rosario, you’re not just a teacher, but also an educator." It was only later that I realized she meant that my teaching style focused on people’s personal development rather than simply on teaching new things.

That feedback became one of the cornerstones of Fina’s pedagogical framework. The school’s role is not merely to impart knowledge, but also to build a community, create a safe environment for growth and enable a positive day-to-day experience for both pupils and staff. That is why the role of principal feels like a natural extension of my own way of thinking.

– As a principal, you are at the forefront of education and can influence the community and the environment for growth right from the grassroots level. The aim is to make the school a place where people feel at home, thrive and find their work meaningful – aim for a 10, but don't carry the weight of a 10 on your shoulders.