My Path is a complete set of study materials for guidance counselors to use with students as a part of the regular curriculum in years 7–9 of comprehensive school. In the My Path method, the students reflect on their self-knowledge, motivation, preparedness for adversity, familiarity with different options, stress, and goal-setting. The learning materials include the student’s textbook with exercises, handbook for guidance counselors and lecture videos. We also offer student workshops and training for guidance counselors.
The original My Path program was created with funding from the Strategic Research Council. After four years of testing in 30 comprehensive schools, the results went into the making of the present My Path program, which has been funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The program consists of digital and paper-based study materials as well as training days for guidance counselors. Together these will make schools better equipped to help young people increase their self-awareness, improve their self-esteem and other psychological skills, and learn the skills necessary in working life.
The workshops organized by Walter Association are rolled out especially in schools with students who are most in need of support to make successful choices about their future.
My Path workshops
The My Path workshops are held by a dedicated and multidisciplinary team of diverse experts. Our instructors come from a wide range of educational, cultural and working life backgrounds, which offers points of identification for different students. The workshops delve deeper into the themes of the My Path lectures through peer learning and experience sharing. The instructors share their personal experiences from their own training and career path, making the discussion richer and bringing new points of view to the discussion, depending on the needs of the group.
Materials
The My Path materials (lecture videos, handbook for guidance counselors and student’s textbook with exercises) are available free of charge in the Library of Open Educational Resources of the Finnish National Agency for Education: Home page – Library of Open Educational Resources (aoe.fi#/etusivu). However, we warmly recommend that guidance counselors attend the one-day training before implementing the program. For more information on the training for guidance counselors and the workshops, please contact Tiia Svart, Project Manager, or Jan Wieland, Director of School Projects. The learning materials are available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
