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The 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.
TBD
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. 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.
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 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 $1,000;
• 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 first week of October. Applications are due after Thanksgiving on November 30. Applicants are interviewed by a selection committee of St. Olaf professors. The selection is made by December 15, and the committee recommendation is forwarded to the Director of the Martin Luther Schule by December 31. The Director of the Gymnasium makes the final decision for the appointment by January 31. A reception is organized in April to honor the new candidate and to greet friends and families of the St. Olaf College-Martin Luther Schule connection. The application includes:
• A letter of intent with a resume of pertinent courses and experiences due by November 30;
• A four-page form with questions on teaching English in a German Gymnasium due by November 30;
• A half-hour interview with the Rimbach Teacher Selection Committee scheduled before December 15.
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. A reception is held by April 15 to honor past and present recipients of the Rimbach Teacher Award. The application includes:
- A letter of intent;
- A resume of pertinent courses and experiences;
- An unofficial transcript, (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 scheduled before December 15.
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
Please submit completed applications to the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) in the Modular Village. After reviewing all applications, the Rimbach Teacher Award Committee will invite selected candidates for interviews. Applications for 2008-09 are due November 30, 2007, and interviews for the selection process will follow with an award announcement by December 14, 2008.
Members of the committee include Professors Bruce Dalgaard, Karl J. Fink (Chair), Jonathan Hill, Kent McWilliams, Dolores Peters, Charles Taliaferro, Gregory Walter, and Karen Peterson Wilson. The final decision for the award rests with the Director of the Martin Luther Schule, Rimbach.
Recipients
View former St. Olaf College graduates sent to the Martin-Luther-Schule.
Pictures of past recipients
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
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