Student teachers bring a breath of fresh air to Görlitz schools
A pilot project by TU Dresden offers student teachers valuable practical experience at the Innenstadt secondary school in Görlitz. Through early integration into the classroom, they gain important insights into everyday school life and strengthen their career choice. In a recent feedback meeting with Mayor Octavian Ursu, the positive impact of the project on students, teachers, and pupils became clear.
The project: Early integration into everyday school life
To counteract the teacher shortage and make teacher training more practical, TU Dresden has initiated a pilot project in the Görlitz district. Students are integrated into the daily school routine early on and support teachers, particularly in the fifth grade. The aim is to provide students with practical experience starting in their third semester, thereby solidifying their career choice and compensating for some of the canceled classes in schools. Since the beginning of this school year, prospective teachers have been supporting the students at the Innenstadt secondary school every Friday.
Positive feedback from students and teachers
Both students and lecturers rate the project as extremely helpful. The early practical experience allows prospective teachers to directly apply and deepen their theoretical knowledge. Many students report that the practical experience confirms their career choice. Some even plan to explore Görlitz more thoroughly during the semester break – a promising sign that the region is becoming an attractive place to work in the long term.
Enrichment for the lesson
From the schools' perspective, the project is also a resounding success. The student teachers are a particularly valuable support for the fifth-grade classes, who are just beginning to adjust to their new school environment. These young, aspiring teachers interact with the students on an equal footing, create a pleasant learning atmosphere, and make lessons more varied. Many children look forward to the new ideas and the fresh perspective in the classroom each week.
A strong signal for the region
In discussions with Mayor Octavian Ursu, it became clear how valuable the project is for the city. It not only helps to relieve the burden on schools but also strengthens the ties of young teachers to the region. The combination of practical experience, direct support for schools, and the opportunity to get to know Görlitz as an attractive place to live and work makes the project an important component in the fight against the teacher shortage.
Photo: City of Görlitz
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