"My professional carousel has been spinning for 42 years, and I loved to ride with it, then at the age of 65 the carousel stopped abruptly, I had to get out, the others whizzed on without me, I stood by, retired and with mixed feelings : on the one hand, glad to be allowed to take a real rest - on the other hand wistful, because I could not work in my dream profession teacher.
But hardly a year later, everything was completely different again. In 2015, I received a letter from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Culture asking me if I could rethink my life as a pensioner. The schools urgently needed German teachers for the so-called preparatory classes.
For me it was a chance to get active again as a teacher. Originally, I wanted to continue my education in retirement and eventually work at an art school.
"A considerable change"
I ventured on to my new task: from high school to factory general school, from regular pupils to refugee children, from one language to many languages of different nations.
I now teach about 30 students, they are between ten and 16 years old. In the course of the school year, new ones are added, others gradually go into the regular classes.
Meeting all these children is a challenge. It has been a remarkable change for me, but I am an experienced teacher and my time as a counseling teacher has also benefited me. I was well trained and supported by my new colleagues.
I can feel good about the students. I know how it is as a refugee. In 1956, I fled to the South Palatinate with my parents from the former GDR and was suddenly the one who came from the East and could not speak a word Palatine. And then one of the few Protestants in a predominantly Catholic environment.
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"The work is a fountain of youth"
I'm almost 70, and if my health permits, I can imagine working even further. However, a good working atmosphere, like here at the school, is a basic requirement.
And work must be healthy. I teach two days a week for a total of ten hours. There is still a lot of preparation and follow-up added, but on the other days I'm a pensioner and have enough time for my hobbies and grandchildren.
I experience the work mostly as a kind of fountain of youth. Through my students, I'm on the pulse of time. In many conversations they tell me about their worries and needs, wishes and future plans. Now I'm allowed to ride in my professional carousel twice a week. My know-how is still needed, I'm still needed, for me a professional luxury.
But there are also days, I'm just done. Here I come home, and need my rest. From the experience I can say: From the age of 60 it should be possible to gradually reduce the workload - but to stay for a few years longer. That would be a gradual transition to retirement, a win for employers and employees, as well as for young and old. "