Martin Luther SchuleTHE RIMBACH TEACHER AWARD

Description

The Rimbach 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

Thursday, November 10th
11:30-12:30 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, 146

Learn more about the Martin Luther Schule

The Position

Position is to teach English in a Gymnasium with students ranging from ages 10-19.

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 Rimbach 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 $1,300;
• Tuition from August language course in Heidelberg up to $700;
• 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 Thursday, December 1, 2011. Applicants are interviewed by a selection committee of St. Olaf professors the week of December 5-9. The selection is made by December 16, and the committee recommendation is forwarded to the Director of the Martin Luther Schule by December 31, 2011. The Director of the Gymnasium makes the final decision for the appointment by January 31, 2012. The application includes:

• A letter of intent with a resume of pertinent courses and experiences due by Thursday, December 1, 2011;
• A four-page form with questions on teaching English in a German Gymnasium due by Thursday, December 1, 2011;
• A half-hour interview with the Rimbach Teacher Selection Committee will be the week of Dec. 5-9, 2011.

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:

  • A letter of intent;
  • A resume of pertinent courses and experiences;
  • An unofficial transcript, (saving file as a pdf views & uploads best; official transcript required if selected);
  • A completed application form with questions on teaching English in a German Gymnasium; and
  • A half-hour interview with the Rimbach Teacher Selection Committee in the second week of December.

To Apply
* Apply through OleRecruiting by Thursday, December 1, 2011
1) Save a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript 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 OleRecruiting.  Click on the Documents tab across the top of the screen.  Upload each of your documents (upload application under 'Writing Sample').
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 Rimbach Teaching Award. 
4) Use the drop down buttons on the right side of the description to select your resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript & 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 Center for Experiential Learning.

After reviewing all applications, the Rimbach Teacher Award Committee will invite selected candidates for interviews. Applications for 2012-13 are Thursday, December 1st 2011, and interviews for the selection process will follow the second week of December.

Rimbach Selection Committee Members: 
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 Karl Fink <kjfink@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