Von 13.-17.3. hatte Frau Gollesch die Möglichkeit die Gesamtschule Hardt in Mönchengladbach zu besuchen. Im Plenum der Lehrer*innen berichtete sie über ihren Aufenthalt.
“I was able to view numerous lessons on my self-imposed observation focus. In total, I observed 21 lessons from Monday to Friday. I was able to accompany the two special needs teachers in Maths, English and German subject, talk to the social paedagigic educator, classes of art, craft, technic teachers observe their way of working and reflect together on the comparison to our school system. The students accepted my presence and were very interested in chatting with me and learn to know about Austria.
I was particularly struck by the participation of the students in daily school life – in so-called weekly circles, goals were independently set, reflected upon and discussed by the class council themselves. Teachers had the role like an assistant. They learn to live democracy and the motivation for discourse, discussions – for change – to be exceptionally good.
A nice experience was to see the “betreute Pause” – a room with books, plays, chilling space and a piano – kids shared their talents in a very tolerant way. Students take on role in school community for special services and helpers.
I would also like to emphasize that they are not repeating classes in the lower classes – it can be
recommended or the children can decide for themselves.
The Erasmus Course is for older pupils, they get preperation for exchange mobilities – organise together –
when I was there they prepared to write their portfolio and talked about citation (I wasn’t able to find out more how to get nice cooperations for younger pupils). They have longer partnerships from comenius already. As I was before in another school type it was familiar to me – it is a big school with over 1000 kids. Inclusion has big matter – even space and more special needs teachers are missing ( general problem in Germany as in Austria) but in upper classes most of the pupils start a job and stop school – not going to do their final exams. Its everytime as important to reflect on ourself and systems.
What did you learn as a result of participating in your mobility activity?
Be open minded and pupils should be motivated to discuss, to reflect, to build opinions and live them.
Cultural heritage, languages, european democracy or art can be a tools for understanding to express what
they think or to learn about human rights, globalisation. Pupils respect their teachers, nice greetings all together.
Learning environment changes if you open teaching if you focus on inter-curriculum projects – like in technics and economy – they created sustainable products or ideas – did research and creates a tutorial video themselves.
Teachers were as interested in disussions or to share their teaching with me. Learning from others its
everytime also a self´-reflection or motivation to try diffrent types of teaching. Common challenges in the
school system exist everywhere – also less space for special education teachers and their pupils.
Pupils are asked to reflect intensivly on their projects in creating Portfolios themselves – even integrate digital skills in every subject.
There is everytime a possibility to learn – for everyone – in their speed. Even as a teacher its important to
reflect and see other possibilities, reflect, talk in a respectfull way to pupils. Interaction with reality – plan projects and connect a lot of subjects in it. There should be enough space for inclusion – understanding will grow. Everyone has a story to share – open eyes and ears.
Reflect more – even together with pupils – they insist of a lot of knowledge and trust to the world.
Presentation in front of other classes or public – sharing ways of thinking.
I also had nice host of my accomadation and good talks with them. Got connected to some artists in town
and was able to see some cities in the surrounding of Möchengladbach like Düsseldorf and Köln. I learned about their traditions and landscapes.
Everyone was openminded and shared a lot of time with me. Especially my colleague Prof. Eva Sieweke – an erasmus friend from 2008 in Venice, Italy who teach in this school.”