What happens when Finnish educational expertise meets a vibrant international teaching environment? At Dar Essalam American School (DAS) in Rabat, Morocco, Eeva Konola, a seasoned Finnish educator, and LaShonda Terry, an American TESOL specialist, have built an inspiring partnership in their co-taught third-grade classroom. Together, they combine Finnish educational principles, Moroccan cultural values, and international teaching best practices to create a learning environment where every child can thrive.

Eeva, who represents the fourth generation of teachers in her family, holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has over 35 years of experience teaching students across all grades in Finland. In the last eight years, she has also taught internationally in the UAE, Oman, and the Maldives. This wealth of experience, along with her Finnish teaching roots, makes her a natural fit for a school like DAS, where collaboration and innovation are at the heart of the teaching philosophy.

LaShonda, on the other hand, is an expert in teaching English to multilingual learners, with years of experience in diverse international settings. She holds a Master’s Degree in TESOL and has taught in the U.S., Spain, and Mauritania, among other countries.

Drawn to Morocco by its rich culture, welcoming atmosphere, and DAS’s mission, Eeva and LaShonda joined the school in August 2024, where they embraced the unique opportunity to teach as a team.

Why Co-Teaching Works

Co-teaching has allowed Eeva and LaShonda to bring their unique strengths to the classroom. “When we started the year, we discovered that we had different favorite subjects,” Eeva explains. “I enjoy teaching mathematics and science, while LaShonda’s passion is language and social studies. This led us to divide the workload based on our strengths, which has been incredibly effective.”

LaShonda adds, “Co-teaching also allows us to provide more individual support to students. With two of us in the classroom, we can monitor and engage with students more closely, ensuring no one gets left behind.”

Eeva believes that their complementary teaching styles are what make the partnership successful. “LaShonda is an expert in language teaching. She integrates language and social skills seamlessly into every lesson and motivates students to engage deeply with English and social studies,” she shares.

LaShonda is equally impressed by Eeva’s approach: “Eeva is incredibly efficient and creative in planning meaningful learning experiences for our students. She sets high expectations but gives students plenty of opportunities to practice, helping them build confidence in their abilities.”

Finnish Educational Principles in Action

At the heart of Eeva’s teaching is the Finnish emphasis on trust, collaboration, and holistic learning. “We take the time to plan together, share ideas, and approach challenges as a team. This creates a strong foundation of trust—not only between us as teachers but also with our students,” Eeva says.

This trust-based approach aligns seamlessly with DAS’s mission to respect and integrate Moroccan cultural values while fostering global learning. “By blending these principles, we create an environment where students feel valued and empowered to learn,” Eeva explains.

Life at DAS and in Rabat

For educators considering new opportunities, Eeva and LaShonda highlight several benefits of working at DAS:

They also share their love for Rabat’s welcoming atmosphere. “Rabat is safe, easy to navigate, and full of beautiful green spaces and historical sites,” they explain. “It’s a wonderful city to live in, with friendly people and a rich culture.”

Words of Advice for Prospective Teachers

“To anyone considering applying to DAS,” they say with enthusiasm, “Take the leap!" This is an opportunity to grow professionally, experience a new culture, and make a lasting impact on students in a unique international setting.”

Meet the Teachers: Career Stories

LaShonda Terry

LaShonda’s teaching journey began in 2002 as a fourth-grade teacher in an international studies school in the U.S. Her passion for teaching English as a Second Language led her to earn her TESOL certification in Mexico and Spain. She has since taught in the U.S., Abu Dhabi, Spain, and Mauritania, gaining a wealth of experience working with multilingual learners and fostering global citizenship in her students.

Why Morocco? “I’ve been traveling here since 2010. The people, history, and food drew me in, and now my family sees Morocco as the perfect place to raise our child and continue our adventures.”

Eeva Konola

Eeva represents the fourth generation of teachers in her family. With a Master’s Degree in Education and over 35 years of teaching experience, she has worked across all grades from kindergarten to middle school in Finland and internationally in the UAE, Oman, and the Maldives.

Her leadership training and deep knowledge of Finnish education have shaped her approach to teaching. “Teaching suits me perfectly—I’ve always loved every subject, and being a class teacher allows me to combine them all.”

While in Morocco, Eeva and her husband look forward to exploring the country’s landscapes, culture, and history.