When Tonje Hofsøy, Head of School at Tromsø International School, attended the Arctic Frontiers “Moving North” conference in 2023, she saw a dynamic space filled with policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and community voices tackling the pressing challenges of the Arctic. But as she scanned the room, she noticed a glaring absence: Teachers.
The educators shaping the next generation of thinkers weren’t part of the conversation. Determined to change that, Hofsøy took action and launched the “Sponsor a Teacher” program at the 2024 Arctic Frontiers conference.
Bringing Arctic Knowledge to Students
The program was simple in its aim but powerful in its potential: fund teachers to attend the conference, absorb the latest research, and take that knowledge back to their classrooms. Arctic Frontiers, which has hosted its annual gathering in Tromsø since 2007, is a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing over 1,000 attendees each January. Yet, until 2024, teachers—those at the forefront of educating future Arctic citizens—were largely left out of this rich exchange of ideas.
Hofsøy, leading the only International Baccalaureate school within the Arctic Circle, knew this had to change. “Attending the science sessions opened my eyes to the potential for curriculum enrichment and networking,” she said. “It’s a powerful way to create role models and ensure that the newest knowledge reaches students.”
Local Businesses Step Up to Support Teacher Engagement
With the help of local champions like KSAT – Kongsberg Satellite Services and SINTEF, the pilot program sponsored five teachers from different Tromsø schools to attend the four-day 2024 conference. The feedback was immediate and positive. Teachers were inspired by fresh insights and new connections that would transform their teaching.
The “Sponsor a Teacher” program is set to expand for the upcoming 2025 conference, which will be held from January 27 to 30. The goal is to equip more teachers with the tools to inspire students to think critically about their future roles in Arctic stewardship.
Local businesses are encouraged to support this initiative, aligning their values with the mission of empowering education and sustainability in the Arctic. The impact is clear: when teachers are informed and inspired, they pass that on to their students, building a generation that is prepared to engage with the complex issues facing the Arctic.
