MARTIN LUTHER SCHULE TEACHER AWARD

Description

The Martin Luther Schule Teacher Award is open to all graduating seniors interested in teaching English at the Martin Luther Schule located in Rimbach, Germany. During the years of reconstruction in Germany from 1948-68, the institution drew support from this tradition with an English teacher selected each year from the senior class at St. Olaf College. Today the school is supported by state funds, although it continues to frame its studies in the educational tradition of the Lutheran church. In 2002, it renewed its relationship with St. Olaf, offering a position for an English teacher from the graduating class of 2002.

Information Conversation

November 8th
11:30-12:30 p.m. (bring your cafe tray)
BC 144

Learn more about the Martin Luther Schule

The Position

Position is to teach English in a Gymnasium with students ranging from ages 13-18.

The position is open to graduating seniors who have excelled in their major with demonstrated communication skills. The primary requirement is a thorough knowledge of the English language with basic proficiency in German equivalent to fourth semester college German.

Students with a background of first year German at the time of application can take GER 231 in the final semester of their senior year. The award includes support for a language course at the University of Heidelberg during the summer prior to arrival in Rimbach for the teaching appointment.

Generally English is taught by engaging issues of culture in various situations. Teaching assignments include one class with the primary responsibilities and several classes at all levels of English in extracurricular settings. The appointment also expects a commitment to school and community activities beyond classroom instruction.

• One course with mentor supervision;
• Teaching assistant at all levels;
• Chaperone assistance on field trips; and
• Commitment to school and community extracurricular activities.

Eligibility Requirements
•  Thorough knowledge of the English language (verbal and written) with expressed interest in language learning by immersion and formal rules of grammar
•  GPA of 3.75 in the candidate's major, 3.50 overall GPA
•  Intellectual strengths demonstrated in written and oral projects done for coursework at St. Olaf
•  Basic German language proficiency at the fourth semester level (may be completed during the candidate's senior year)
•  Fluency in the full range of liberal arts topics that comprise the education of Gymnasium students in Germany

The Award

The Martin Luther Schule Teacher Award seeks to advance shared traditions between Germany and the United States generally and between the Martin Luther Schule and St. Olaf College specifically. The Award offers transportation, a stipend for a summer language course, and a monthly stipend to teach English at the Martin Luther Schule in Rimbach, Germany. The Awad is a competition open to all graduating seniors across all disciplines at St. Olaf College.

• Transporation from the USA to Germany up to $1,400;
• Language Tuition up to $600;
• Stipend for 11 months from September - July at 800 euros per month set by the Martin Luther Schule;
• Apartment arranged by Friends of the St. Olaf-Martin Luther Schule Award.

Application

The application procedure begins with an information session scheduled for the second week of November. Applications are due Saturday, December 1, 2012. Applicants are interviewed by a selection committee of St. Olaf professors the week of December 3-7. The selection is made by December 16, and the committee recommendation is forwarded to the Director of the Martin Luther Schule by December 31, 2012. The Director of the Gymnasium makes the final decision for the appointment by January 31, 2013. The application includes:

• A letter of intent with a resume of pertinent courses and experiences due by Saturday, December 1, 2012;
• A four-page form with questions on teaching English in a German Gymnasium due by Saturday, December 1, 2012;
• A half-hour interview with the Rimbach Teacher Selection Committee will be the week of Dec. 3-7, 2012.

All candidates are interviewed by a committee of professors, and announcement of award is made by February 1 of the following year. The final decision for the appointment is made by the Director of Martin Luther Schule. The application includes:

  1. A letter of intent;
  2. A resume of pertinent courses and experiences;
  3. An unofficial transcript, (saving file as a pdf; official transcript required if selected);
  4. a sample of critical or creative writing from the past two years that best demonstrates your use of English (please limit the sample to a maximum of two pages),
  5. A completed application form with questions on teaching English in a German Gymnasium; and
  6. A half-hour interview with the Rimbach Teacher Selection Committee in the second week of December.

To Apply
* Apply through Ole Career Central by Saturday, December 1, 2012
1) Save a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, writing sample, and application to a common location.  To save the transcript, log into the SIS system, choose grades, and then transcript; save the file as a .pdf document.
2) Log into Ole Career Cemtral.  Click on the Documents tab across the top of the screen.  Upload each of your documents according to the available categories (upload the application under 'Other Documents').
3) Click on Employers (tab across top), enter St. Olaf College as a keyword, click on St. Olaf College, choose Available Positions, and click on Martin Luther Schule Teacher Award
4) Use the drop down buttons on the right side of the description to select your resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, writing sample & application.  Click on Submit.  If you have successfully applied, you will see “You have submitted an application for this position” written just under Application Status on the top right.
Assistance uploading documents available at the Piper Center for Vocation and Career.

After reviewing all applications, the Martin Luther Schule Teacher Award Committee will invite selected candidates for interviews. Applications for 2013-14 are Saturday, December 1st 2012, and interviews for the selection process will follow the second week of December.

Martin Luther Schule Selection Committee Members: 
Chuck Huff, Psychology (Chair)

20011-2012 Committee Members Included:
Karl J. Fink, German
Sara Fruehling, Biology
Kent McWilliams, Music
Douglas Casson, Political Science
Gregory A. Walter, Religion
Karen Peterson Wilson, Theatre

Recipients

For contact information of former St. Olaf College graduates sent to the Martin-Luther-Schule, please email Chuck Huff <huff@stolaf.edu>.

Pictures of past recipients
2012-13 - Luke Obermann, Mathematics & Psychology
2011-12 - Ian Hathway, English
2010-11 - Michael Lenz, Music & Religion
2009-10 - Devin Horne, German & English
2008-09 - Laura Schaefer, German & Biology
2007-08 - Molly Sell, Music & Management Studies
2006-07 - Kate Olson, German
2005-06 - Erik Grell, History & German
2004-05 - Sarah Steingas, Philosophy & Math
2003-04 - Linda Johnke, Theatre & Art
2002-03 - Erin Birch, Political Science