Looking for more reading mentors: MENTOR Marburg-Biedenkopf was founded a year ago

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Those who can read have a clear advantage! This often flippant remark—made when someone hasn’t looked closely enough—is absolutely justified in terms of its meaning. If someone can’t grasp a text and doesn’t understand its content, they can’t participate in the conversation and are excluded. With nearly 60 volunteer mentors, the MENTOR association —the Marburg-Biedenkopf Region Reading Tutors—aims to improve the alarming statistic that, by the end of fourth grade, 20 out of 100 children cannot read properly and 30 out of 100 cannot write according to the rules. The association was founded at the district level one year ago at the Steinmühle and recently celebrated its first anniversary there.

A special guest provided entertainment at the event in the Steinmühlenforum: children’s and young adult author Andreas Steinhöfel. By reading excerpts from his works, he not only brought a few smiles to people’s faces but also elicited the occasional laugh. The “MENTOR” initiative is important to him and something he takes very seriously; he supports it as a patron and states: “Those who cannot read have a very hard time navigating life with dignity.”

Working as a mentor is fulfilling. This volunteer position—which requires an extended police background check and participation in a training seminar—demands patience, but it’s very rewarding. At the Steinmühlenforum, four mentors spoke about their work, in which they introduce students—often from educationally disadvantaged and socially vulnerable backgrounds—to the world of letters and words. The district is still urgently seeking 15 to 20 additional reading mentors for this work.

“The situation hasn’t exactly improved during the pandemic,” reported Chairwoman Inge Maisch. She is the point of contact for people who might be interested in taking on the role of a mentor (info@mentor-marburg-biedenkopf.de). She is encouraged by the fact that nearly all of the reading mentors from the previous school year are continuing their work. It’s wonderful to see children develop a love of reading.

It was also a pleasure to listen to those who provided the artistic entertainment for the anniversary celebration. The Steinmühle Jazz Ensemble, led by Frank Wemme, was among them, as was Talea Funk with a contemplative composition.

The administration of Steinmühle Elementary and High School, as well as the school’s management team, consider MENTOR’s mission to be important. After all, reading is the fundamental skill underpinning the entire spectrum of school education. Steinmühle therefore hopes that as many people as possible will come forward and express interest in becoming a reading mentor.

Wheelup! wowed the Steinmühle with everything on wheels

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We saw many beaming faces as they rode by on skateboards, waveboards, scooters, or longboards: For the last few weeks before summer break, a so-called “WHEELUP! trailer” was parked in our schoolyard, filled to the brim with just about everything that has wheels.

The action week kicked off with a scooter training session for the advanced sports class, which was led competently and with a sense of humor by the professional staff from CITY SKATE. This was followed by a brief training session and instruction on how to use the trailer for all interested teachers. Under the motto, “Helmets on, pads on, and let’s go!” young and old alike rushed to the trailer during substitute classes, breaks, or even during physical education classes and rolled together across the schoolyard.

As part of an AOK sponsorship program, the Hessian sports agency CITY SKATE is equipping this trailer with the latest sports equipment so that it can be made available to children at as many schools as possible. “Thanks to a fortunate turn of events, our school had the opportunity to use this trailer during the most sought-after time slot before the break,” reports Steinmühlen teacher Benedikt Hohmann. It’s no secret that exercise and physical activity play a central role in physical and mental health. Furthermore, the WHEELUP! project offered the ideal opportunity to make good use of the infamous “last few hours before the break” outdoors and to get the students excited about skating.

A Great Community Experience: Steinmühle with 37 Runners at the Marburg Post-Marathon!

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After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Marburg Night Marathon finally took place again on July 1. Steinmühle was represented by nine relay teams, meaning it had more runners at the starting line than any other school, club, or company.

All nine relay teams completed the 42.195 km at varying speeds, depending on their goals, level of training, and physical condition. The individual runners’ times varied greatly in some cases, because the organizers, Patric Hahn and Björn Gemmer, weren’t focused on putting together teams that were as homogeneous as possible, but rather on experiencing a sense of community.

The fastest relay team, with a time of 3h 18min, was the 12th-grade math track: Students Nico Bolz, Paul Martin, and Jan Audretsch, along with their teacher Björn Gemmer, finished 15th out of 119. The other relay teams and their results are shown in the photos.

Nico Bolz, Alina Klähn, and Ian Wudtke, as the lead runners for their respective relay teams, continued running after the baton handoff and completed a half marathon. Nico finished in 208th place out of 645 after 1 hour and 49 minutes, while Alina and Ian finished just over 5 minutes later in 299th and 300th place, respectively.

Eleventh-grader Maxim Dyck even crossed the finish line as a “marathon finisher” in 80th place out of 101 after 4 hours and 32 minutes, while M-PH teacher René Schulenberg finished 18 minutes later in 89th place. Both were greeted and celebrated at the finish line to loud applause from the Steinmühlen community.

But it wasn’t just the athletic achievements that made the evening at the relay handoff and in the university stadium so special. It was the shared experience that the 37 runners had together. Students, boarding school teachers, faculty members, and one of the two principals were at the starting line, cheering on everyone wearing a Steinmühle shirt, being cheered on themselves, comparing their times, celebrated each other’s successes, and spent a joyful evening together in good company. Once again, it was clear: Steinmühle is a supportive community.

 

History Up Close: Stadtallendorf’s Turbulent Development and People’s Life Stories

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From time to time, parents or relatives of our students are able to make valuable contributions to Steinmühlen’s curriculum—thanks to their professional experience or knowledge. The visit by Herbert Köller, the grandfather of Alexandra Köller (6b), was one such example. Together with Hans-Jürgen Wolff, he spoke to Steinmühlen students in grades 8, 10, and 13 about the work of the Stadtallendorf Documentation and Information Center (DIZ), founded in 1994, which is Germany’s first and oldest memorial dedicated to forced labor.

The DIZ (www.diz-stadtallendorf.de) has received photographs and records from the late phase of World War II from the estate of Hilmar Eisenhut. Hilmar Eisenhut was a 15-year-old student in Eschwege when his friends from the grade above him, who were serving as anti-aircraft gunners near Kassel, were killed by a crashing airplane. Shortly thereafter, Hilmar also became an anti-aircraft gunner and was stationed in Stadtallendorf.

From a Poor Village to the No. 1 Industrial City

In the first part of the double period, Hans-Jürgen Wolff used a PowerPoint presentation to explore why Stadtallendorf is now a thriving industrial city. He traced the town’s journey from a poor Catholic village, through its history as an ammunition depot and a refuge for displaced persons and guest workers, to its current status as the number one industrial town in the Marburg-Biedenkopf district. In doing so, he also explored the question of why Stadtallendorf was not bombed during World War II. This is where 16-year-old Hilmar Eisenhut, his accounts, and his photographs came into play.

A 16-Year-Old’s War Experiences

In the second part, the presentation took on a more personal tone and was told from the boy’s perspective. Herbert Köller read vividly, taking on various roles, and emotionally brought Hilmar’s notes to life—sometimes in the loud tone of the sergeant, sometimes with a tear-choked voice. In between, Hans-Jürgen Wolff repeatedly interrupted the reading to provide factual, matter-of-fact, and even technical information to help the audience contextualize what they had heard.

The title “History Up Close” can therefore be understood in two ways. On the one hand, it was about regional proximity—that is, the history of a town in our county. On the other hand, the accounts were emotionally moving, as the fate of the anti-aircraft gunner and his friends—who were the same age as the audience—struck a deep chord—not even ten days before another war of aggression began in Europe.

Our photo shows the speakers Herbert Köller (left) and Hans-Jürgen Wolff.

Career Information Day: Insider Tips and the Most Popular Jobs

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The annual Career Information Day, organized in collaboration with the Rotary Club Marburg-Schloss, has become a tradition at Steinmühle. In 2020, due to the pandemic, it could only be held virtually. This year, a new format made it possible to hold the event in person while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines; the event remains consistently popular and in high demand.

Thanks to the ample space in the atrium, the organizers—Hans-Heinrich Bähr from the Career Services Department of the Rotary Club Marburg-Schloss and Steinmühlen teacher Dr. Claudia Röder—decided to assign a separate room or a dedicated corner to each representative of a specific profession. This arrangement was well received. Principal Björn Gemmer welcomed the participants and was pleased with the lively interest shown by everyone.

 

Architecture in High Demand

In total, representatives from 20 different professions were on hand to answer the students’ questions. The most popular session was the one on architecture, represented by Thomas Oesterle, the architect behind the new Steinmühlen buildings—given the current workload at all existing architecture firms, it might not be a bad idea to consider a career in this field. The sessions on medicine, psychology, management consulting, and journalism were also well attended. New professions featured at this event included pharmacist, mechatronics engineer, theater director, and positions at the municipal utilities involving both technical and business roles.

The twelfth graders were impressed by the career information session that evening, and they expressed their thoughts as follows:

Lasse Siener: “We got some great insights into different careers; it was nice that there was something for everyone.”

Felix Mittag: “We had good discussions in a positive atmosphere, but I would have liked to have had more time and a fourth round as well. It was very pleasant that the discussions took place on an equal footing.”

Tillmann Molzberger: “The career fair dispelled stereotypes and gave us a lot of insight into what everyday work life is really like.”

Jan Siegwolf: “It was a great event; we gained new insights and were able to get a concrete idea of what each profession entails.”

Lutz Lehning: “It was a really awesome event, but there wasn’t enough time.”

The Future of Education After the Pandemic

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The Boarding School Association (DIV) held its meeting at the Steinmühle with 135 participants

The Steinmühle School and Boarding School are linked in more ways than just their shared logo. The two institutions are financially separate but closely linked in their missions. Given this, it was only natural for Steinmühle School Principal Björn Gemmer—after a period of membership in “Die Internate Vereinigung” (DIV)—to take over as chair of the association this year. The “2021 Major Staff Conference of the Boarding Schools Association,” attended by representatives from all 16 member schools across Germany, was therefore held this year at Steinmühlenweg in Marburg.

Asking questions about our own daily lives, discussing them with speakers, and learning about our colleagues’ perspectives—the annual meetings aren’t just about patting each other on the back. Reflecting on the present, staying true to oneself, and gaining new inspiration—that was the goal of the 135 attendees this time, most of whom were educators. “We’re not competitors; either everyone is doing well or everyone is doing poorly,” was the sentiment expressed in summarizing past events. This time, the message was clear: All boarding schools are full.

 

The Importance of a Real Mentor

Whether on the North Sea coast or in the Alpine foothills, boarding schools have long struggled with image problems. They were seen as a “way out” for families—a place you end up if you’re not a good student or a well-behaved daughter. This image—unknown in England—has largely been overcome in Germany. The conference participants at the Steinmühle focused on solving other problems and addressing issues arising in the present: digitalization in schools, learning during and after the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of a real-life mentor, and the question of what asynchronous learning can or must look like.

The three-day conference featured presentations by experts and a panel discussion that, naturally, could not avoid addressing the interrelated topic of teacher education. Speaking as a local representative was Prof. Dr. Jürgen Handke, the “guru of digitalization” from Marburg, who, among other things, expressed the fear that after the pandemic, teaching would “fall back into the old rut” in which people had “made do with emergency solutions”: “We have neglected asynchronous knowledge transfer”; the way content is delivered must change, because simply providing assignments digitally is not enough in schools.

Prof. Dr. Martin Korte of the Technical University of Hannover focuses his research on the cellular basis of learning and memory. According to him, effective learning requires a school environment as well as a real mentor—even if, in the future, that mentor might find himself in the role of an advisor or learning coach.

 

Questioning Teacher Education

Another participant in the expert discussion was University Vice President Prof. Dr. Evelyn Korn, who is responsible for teacher education at Philipps University of Marburg. In her view, there is no single “right” way to conduct digital instruction, and so it is not part of teacher training to “hand out recipes” for it. Korn acknowledged that there is a difference between students’ physical presence and their digital presence: “For the first time, students knew more than their instructors. It undoubtedly changes the learning process.”

Prof. Dr. Klaus Zierer of the University of Augsburg, a full professor of school pedagogy, emphasized yet another approach. He called for a reevaluation of teacher training: “We need to address this differently; a lot is going wrong here.” Unlike in some other countries, he noted, the public perception of the teaching profession in Germany is not favorable, which in turn is one of the causes of a glaring shortage of teachers. “We need to find a way to inspire students to pursue a career in teaching again.”

Shortly after the event, Björn Gemmer, the conference director and organizer, received feedback on how the individual participants had personally benefited from attending the DIV conference in Marburg:

 

“Having just arrived home, I would like to once again express my sincere thanks for the invitation to the lecture. I thoroughly enjoyed it—it’s rare to experience so much educational ethos all in one place. Great!” (Prof. Dr. Klaus Zierer, Full Professor of School Pedagogy, University of Augsburg)

 

“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent organization of my presentation and the panel discussion featuring myself and the other speakers. In my view, it was a truly successful event, and listening to Mr. Zierer was an experience in itself! I am deeply impressed by what the Boarding School Association has put together here!” (Prof. Dr. Martin Korte, Technical University of Braunschweig)

 

“On behalf of my wife as well, thank you once again for the opportunity to be part of your wonderful conference and to enjoy the various additional amenities. I am glad that my ideas and initiatives have fallen on such fertile ground, and you can be sure that I will hold up the high schools and boarding schools that were present at the DIV conference as exemplary and mention them in the future. A first workshop has already been scheduled at Louisenlund (with Dr. Rösner), where I would like to prepare students, teachers, and parent representatives for digital teaching through several hands-on workshops. I can well imagine that other schools and boarding schools would also like to take advantage of this offer, and I am open to establishing such contacts. In any case, we should stay in touch to continue strengthening the pioneering path your schools and boarding schools are taking.” (Prof. Dr. Juergen Handke, University of Marburg & 3M Solutions, RoboPraX – Robotikum)

 

“Now that we’ve returned safely to the Ammersee, I’d like to take a moment to once again express my heartfelt thanks for the excellent planning and execution of the conference. Our staff were absolutely thrilled and have already shared this with the rest of the faculty during our Monday meeting today. That’s exactly how it should be. An outstanding start for future events. I can well understand what it takes to organize such an event at the beginning of the school year. So, hats off to you! By the way, I’ll soon be meeting with colleagues from Neubeuern and Stein for one of our tried-and-true (Bavarian) exchange meetings. If desired, I’d be happy to beat the DIV drum once again there.” (Rüdiger Häusler, Foundation Director, Landheim Ammersee)

 

“Thank you so much for this absolutely wonderful conference, your fabulous organization, the fascinating topics, the delicious food, and especially for your comforting words right at the start: I took that literally and actually took a little ‘vacation’—I was able to unwind, even found time to explore the wonderful old town a bit, light a candle for my grandpa at St. Elizabeth’s Church, and just pause for a moment amid the constant hustle and bustle—which I actually really enjoy! The gathering and conference were so important—and how wonderful that we were finally able to see each other again and exchange ideas. And thank you for making Marburg a permanent fixture on my mental map from now on: a great city, but above all, a fantastic, innovative, and incredibly well-equipped school—thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for your energy and time, for your perseverance and resilience in complicated times: that was exactly what was needed, and I’m very much looking forward to our continued collaboration and all the upcoming events and activities.” (Katja Maike Braun, Principal, Executive Board of the Ecole d’Humanité)

 

“After a tiring but incredibly varied, informative, and superbly organized weekend, I would like to express my sincere thanks—also on behalf of my colleagues—for the warm welcome we received at the Steinmühle Boarding School. The impressions we gained of the DIV, its member boarding schools, and especially Steinmühle Boarding School were so consistently positive and rewarding that we know it is definitely worth further strengthening our collaboration, and the three of us, as ambassadors in Roßleben, will always be happy to share the spirit of the DIV. We look forward to the invitations to the working groups and hope you’ll find some time to relax after what were surely exciting days for you as well.” (Yvonne Sonnenfeld, Roßleben Foundation Administration)

 

“I really enjoyed the weekend at Steinmühle! Delicious food, interesting presentations, a great atmosphere, nice people, and excellent organization—thank you so much to you and your team!!!” (Maik Lüdemann, Business Director at Marienau School)

 
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Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

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