Our alum Emma Vaaramäki: Maths teacher and TikToker feels responsible for students even off school hours

Responsible fashion and teacher TikToker 

Emma Vaaramäki is a Master of Science in Technology who teaches mathematics at Nokia Upper Secondary School and, in her spare time, produces TikTok videos related to sustainability in the clothing industry. In response to TikTok's fast fashion craze, Emma started making so-called antihaul videos in which she explains what kind of clothes she thinks people should not buy, and why.

“I started making these videos due to my own interest in sustainable clothing and environmental issues. As a more recent departure, I am now also making teaching- and maths-focused videos for my OpeTikTok channel,” Emma says.

For Emma, there have been two main reasons for making videos. Firstly, it’s fun. Secondly, she wants to make a difference. Emma reveals that her OpeTikTok channel involves a hidden agenda. 

“I want to show that one and the same person can be interested in many different things, and on the other hand, very different people can feel drawn to a specific subject. For example, in the latest PISA results, Finnish girls did better than boys in mathematics, which is rather exceptional. Despite this, the field is male-dominated and many girls find it hard to feel confident enough to apply,” says Emma.

For example, in the latest PISA results, Finnish girls did better than boys in mathematics, which is rather exceptional. Despite this, the field is male-dominated and many girls find it hard to feel confident enough to apply.

Emma Vaaramäki

“Also, I want to show that mathematics is a skill that can be learned. Not everyone will become a top performer, of course, but it is possible to learn mathematical thinking.”

Teaching is holistic

Emma says that she thinks a lot about a teacher’s role today, and she describes it as something very holistic. The role is not limited to school hours – and this is something she does not forget on social media either.

“Many students follow me on TikTok, so I do use discretion as to what I publish. I think about my educational responsibility and the example I set,” Emma says.

Emma feels that being a teacher is, above all, people work. It feels particularly important and rewarding when you find a real connection with your students. 

As a teacher, Emma has been able to influence the way she works more than she anticipated – as long as the curriculum is met.

“Making an impact is really important to me in my work, and what we talk about in class with students often goes beyond mathematics. I feel that I'm doing something important, even if I don't always actively think about it 8 a.m. on a weekday morning. Teaching is a big responsibility. Encouraging young people makes a huge difference,” Emma says.

The sense of community at the university was a positive surprise

Emma remembers her own student years at the university as an enjoyable and also tough period. The interests she had in upper secondary school took a new direction at the university, and she ended up choosing physics as her major. Emma had not studied physics in upper secondary school, so catching up with other students took a lot of extra work.

“My fellow students helped me keep up with the pace. I felt a great sense of community at the university; people really help each other and work together there,” Emma notes.

I felt a great sense of community at the university; people really help each other and work together there.

Emma Vaaramäki

Even though there is a lot about teaching that you cannot learn through study but only through practice, Emma feels that the university gave her a good foundation of skills.

“Personal learning experiences are an important tool for teachers. I find it helpful for me that it has not always been easy for me to reach my goals. I have had to work hard to achieve them.”

Text: Tiina Leivo