Change of headmaster

Ella Mustonen reporting:

Who’s a person who takes care of everything but whose work nobody seems to notice? In Klassikka this person is the principal.

Jukka Sormunen has been the principal of Klassikka for over sixteen years. He came to Kuopio as a physical education teacher but later, after spending some time as an exchange teacher in the United States, he became a vice principal. He worked for the first time as a principal in Karttula. In 2002 he came to Klassikka.

After spending 15 years in Klassikka, he knows what the work is like.

– The principal oversees the whole school. This appointment makes possible and obligates you to do all kinds of things, he says.

Making labour contracts, helping teachers, managing the administration, organizing the selection of courses… it’s just a part of principal’s work. Even though this work is sometimes unseen, Sormunen says that this is his dream work.

– To see the young ones growing up and teachers developing are the best parts in my job.

That’s why it can feel surprising that he stops working in Klassikka.

– I feel that after several years it can be difficult to reform, Sormunen says.

– I believe that I’ve done my work well. Now I can face new challenges.

Sormunen’s new appointment means that Klassikka needs a new principal. Inka Kokkonen, Finnish and literature teacher and vice principal, takes care of the principal’s work now. Even though she has been the vice principal since 2003, this is her first time as a principal as Sormunen’s deputy.

She feels that Sormunen has done very appreciable work in Klassikka and she wants to continue that.

– Improving our school systems can’t stop. However, many things will remain the same, she tells.

Even though Kokkonen now works as a principal in Klassikka, she supposes that she won’t change.

– People have joked if I have to buy dress suits now, but I think that I will use them only when we have guests here.

– I believe my joker personality will last but of course the appointment gives me some responsibilities which forces me to distance some things about myself, Kokkonen says.

We wish you success in your new appointment!