The work has probably never been so difficult - now the school is (also) challenged!
Teaching is a demanding profession. Even in 'normal' times. But this challenge is currently even greater. The pandemic is creating conditions that no one could have imagined before the outbreak. It is therefore important that schools provide their teachers with the best possible support. At Schloss-Schule, it is clear that a lot was done right in the run-up to the pandemic - and a lot is currently being done well.
Technology
In order to be able to work as a teacher in times of coronavirus, it is particularly important to have access to modern technology that can be used not only for your own interaction with school management and colleagues, but also by pupils and - in certain situations - by their families.
As a private boarding school, the Schloss-Schule has the advantage of being able to decide on such purchases largely independently. Even well before the pandemic, the Schloss-Schule took advantage of these opportunities and invested in modern hardware equipment, a high-performance network and cutting-edge school software.
In times of a pandemic, this technology is now enabling teaching, communication and interaction opportunities that are almost unthinkable elsewhere. Of course, this does not mean that the distance learning and video conferencing units, which are always prescribed, will be a "no-brainer" for teachers. The teachers at the Schloss-Schule also currently have an enormous additional package of tasks to deal with! However, modern technology supports the necessary or sensible alternatives that are currently so important for teaching, communication and socialization!
It is also crucial for success that the teachers at the Schloss-Schule have been (and continue to be) comprehensively trained and supported in the use of the available technology. It is also extremely important for the success of the project that loan devices have been made available for some time to families of pupils who are not adequately equipped. In fact, it is of little use if the teacher offers attractive alternative forms of teaching - and the pupils are unable to participate due to a lack of equipment.
Details on the technical possibilities that now (but also under 'normal' conditions) make it easier to work as a teacher at the Schloss-Schule were presented some time ago in a separate newsletter, which you can read here.
Rules & their communication
Especially in challenging situations such as the current pandemic phase, clear rules for all those involved and binding and effective communication of these rules are of crucial importance. At Schloss-Schule, the following applies: all groups associated with the school (i.e. primarily the staff, pupils, their relatives and the respective environment) must know what is "business" when and where.
The technology described above also plays an important role here, as it can be used to display a large part of the group-specific (daily updated) information and communication.
However, it is at least as important to make the central framework conditions and established rules publicly accessible - and to keep them up to date at all times. For this reason, the Schloss-Schule management has decided to publish all this information on dealing with Corona as well as the specific regulations, rules, information and dates of the Schloss-Schule on an intensively maintained special subpage of the school's website.
On our information page on dealing with corona, you can click on links to relevant federal and state information portals and read all the information and rules on the current situation at the school and boarding school.
This also makes the teachers at the Schloss-Schule's work at our boarding school much easier: the common basis of everyday school life is thus clearly and comprehensibly regulated - so there is no need to constantly "re-communicate", which ties up a lot of time elsewhere!
Specific framework conditions of our private school
Whether face-to-face or distance learning comes into play during the pandemic, as a teacher you are currently required to go well beyond the normal level. However, there are differences that are also shaped by the specific framework conditions of the respective school.
Decisive factors are: 1. the class sizes and 2. the spatial conditions.
Schloss-Schule Kirchberg scores well in both aspects: The classes are particularly small (overall average currently 17 pupils), while the premises are extremely spacious.
The advantages are obvious (and are not only noticeable during the pandemic): As an individual teacher, fewer children and young people need to be supervised per class and it is much easier to maintain the necessary distance and a sufficient supply of fresh air during face-to-face teaching!
Also extremely important: the staffing levels are above average and all colleagues have been recruited specifically and actively! The "togetherness" is very good - especially due to the open way of communicating with each other, the manageability of the institution and the (deliberately) flat hierarchy. At the Schloss-Schule, there is both the principle of an open door for management staff and a pronounced team spirit that allows one person to stand up for the other.
Especially in the current situation, this is having a very positive effect - everyone involved sees the pandemic as a shared challenge for the entire school.
... and we are very proud of this (and of the dedicated teachers who "live" this every day) on the part of the management. This is precisely why we are doing everything we can to support our teachers as fully as possible!
You can read about how successfully the first lockdown situation was managed at the Schloss-Schule boarding school in spring 2020 in the article School and corona - with structure against cabin fever.
And if you are interested in current vacancies at the Schloss-Schule ...
Then please click on our current vacancies. There might be something for you too!
If you would like to talk to us (beforehand or in general):
On our contact page you will find the main contact persons of our institution - and also the faces! We look forward to talking to you!