The German Teacher Award Ceremony in Berlin celebrated exceptional educators and innovative school administrations, with the Willy-Brandt School winning first place for exemplary administration. Tina Bergen and Marc Brückner received the top prize for innovative teaching methods. Educator Jotam Felmy emphasized the urgent need for educational reform to address mental health challenges and outdated learning expectations amid global crises. The event acknowledged ten outstanding teachers and highlighted the importance of engaging students’ voices in education policy discussions.
Celebrating Excellence in Education: The German Teacher Award Ceremony in Berlin
The prestigious German Teacher Award has been unveiled in Berlin, showcasing the remarkable contributions of dedicated educators and innovative school administrations. This year, the Willy-Brandt School in Berlin clinched the top spot in the ‘Exemplary School Administration’ category, followed by the Maria-Gress-School in Iffezheim, Baden-Württemberg, in second place, and the Rahel-Hirsch-School in Berlin securing third place.
“I truly love my job,” expressed Andrea Franke, the principal of the Willy-Brandt School, who received the first-place accolade. “My passion drives my work here, and I owe much of my success to an outstanding team.”
In the competition for the most innovative teaching methods, the first prize was awarded to Tina Bergen and Marc Brückner from the Christian-Ernestinum Gymnasium in Bayreuth. Robert Koegler from Rauschwalde Secondary School in Görlitz took second place, while Martin Lentzen and Jenny Jungeblut from the German International School of Silicon Valley in California secured third.
Addressing Global Challenges in Education
The event also honored ten exceptional educators from various regions, including Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Among them was Jotam Felmy from the Gustav-Heinemann Secondary School in Berlin, who chose to highlight pressing education policy issues rather than focusing solely on his achievements.
Felmy, who teaches philosophy, German, and ethics, expressed deep concerns regarding the mental health of students and the overwhelming challenges teachers face, which often go unnoticed. “Students today are navigating a world shaped by the pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and other global crises,” he shared with the dpa news agency. Many students are personally affected due to family ties to conflict zones. “Despite these tumultuous circumstances and significant disruptions caused by the pandemic, they are still held to outdated learning expectations.”
The award ceremony featured notable figures, including Susanne Lin-Klitzing, Federal Chairwoman of the German Philologists’ Association, alongside the winners in the ‘Innovative Teaching’ category: Tina Bergen and Marc Brückner from Bayreuth, Robert Koegler from Görlitz, and Martin Lentzen and Jenny Jungeblut from California.
Students’ Voices in the Education Debate
Felmy also pointed out the lack of attention to education policy during the recent federal election campaign, leaving many students feeling overlooked and frustrated. “The issues within the school system may not be as visible as a crumbling bridge, but they are just as critical,” he remarked. “If we hope for today’s students to become active, contributing members of society, we must change our approach to education.”
With education being primarily managed by state authorities, Felmy criticized the absence of accountability at the federal level. He called for a responsive education policy that meets the evolving needs of society. “It’s essential for young people to feel valued,” he emphasized. He urged policymakers to engage directly with schools, stating, “Visit the classrooms, speak with students and teachers. We need to be heard.”
The German Teacher Award is a collaborative initiative presented by the German Philologists’ Association and the Heraeus Education Foundation, recognizing ten outstanding educators, three exemplary school administrations, and five teacher teams from various federal states, along with one German school abroad.
This coverage was brought to you by WDR aktuell on March 31, 2025, at 1:25 PM.