For Martina Bäumle things have come full circle.
Born in Geretsrieder, she herself was a student at the Isardamm primary school 45 years ago.
Now she is the principal there.
Geretsried - After studying to be a teacher, Bäumle worked at elementary, middle and Montessori schools.
She was vice rector and rector and in between was seconded to the ministry of education.
In 2018 she went to the German School in Budapest for three years.
Now the 51-year-old has returned to her hometown.
She has been running the Isardamm primary school since the beginning of the school year.
Our employee Tanja Lühr spoke to her about her time abroad, everyday life here with corona pool tests and the simultaneous, gradual return to normality.
Ms. Bäumle, after having been principal at the elementary and middle school in Königsdorf for five years, she moved to Budapest in 2018 for three years as a foreign service teacher (ADLK). How did you experience the time?
Martina Bäumle:
The German School Budapest is a so-called encounter school that is attended by both Hungarian and German-speaking children. In the first two years, as a class leader, I had a first and second German class. I really enjoyed that again, because as a headmistress you are mainly occupied with administrative tasks. In the third year I taught music, English and German as a foreign language to the Hungarian students as a subject teacher. It was a great pleasure for me to witness the rapid learning progress of the children while learning German. I really enjoyed teaching there and, conversely, also learned from the children. They applauded every new word of Hungarian (laughs).
Everything went normally for a year and a half, then the lockdown also came in Hungary.
Of course, that also meant many weeks of distance and hybrid lessons, video conferences and emergency care there.
Then you couldn't really get to know the country and its people because of the pandemic?
Martina Bäumle:
Yes, I saw and experienced a lot in Budapest in the first year and a half.
But the city also had its charm during the lockdown because it wasn't as crowded as usual. During the entire three years I got to know incredibly warm, nice people.
Hungary is a fantastic country and I am delighted to be returning there as a holidaymaker.
But you didn't want to stay longer?
Martina Bäumle:
Theoretically, it is possible to extend the international school service to six years. But after three years it was good for me - in the best sense of the word. I had tears in my eyes when I said goodbye to my colleagues and friends and headed home with my packed car, but I was also looking forward to home. I will definitely keep in touch with all the lovely people in Budapest. Looking back, I can say: It is always valuable to think outside the box and leave your comfort zone. I appreciate what was taken for granted at home a lot more now. And who would have thought that there are also Hungarian-speaking children at the Isardamm primary school. Now I can at least chat a little with them in Hungarian.
Was it a stroke of luck for you that the post of headmaster at the Isardamm elementary school became vacant after Monika Bauer left?
Martina Bäumle:
Yes, I read the job offer in January and applied immediately.
For me, that rounds off my career.
How were the first days and weeks at your new place of work?
Martina Bäumle: Everyone
welcomed me very warmly.
I particularly enjoyed visiting the introductory classes in the individual classes.
We have very warm, smart and open-minded children at the Isardammschule, great.
The first contacts with individual parents were also very positive.
And then the new pool tests were set up.
That tied up a lot of time at the beginning.
All 413 students had to be entered by the school into the specially set up system as quickly as possible.
Barcodes had to be recorded by the teachers and the test material had to be prepared.
That could only be mastered in a team and it has proven to be gratifying right from the start.
In the meantime, both the children and us teachers have become routine with the so-called lollipop tests.
Have there already been positive cases?
Martina Bäumle:
Occasionally, yes.
But so far, no class has had to be quarantined for a long time.
Are normal lessons largely possible?
Martina Bäumle:
All of us, children and teachers, are happy that face-to-face lessons can take place again.
The children need each other, want to learn, work and play together.
The direct contact, the possibilities of the different social and work forms and methods in the classroom are simply of great value in presence.
Thanks to state-of-the-art technical equipment through the city and the commitment of the teachers, the school got through the homeschooling phases quite well, but now we prefer to integrate digital learning into our lessons and be together in the school building.
What is still a little missing is the former lightheartedness.
I look forward to when all the children can play together again in the playground and no longer have to be separated according to class.
However, we cannot wait for the pandemic to end, but try everything we can to offer the children a varied and beautiful school life now.
“School is more” is the right one to say in a nursery rhyme.
What are you planning?
Martina Bäumle:
The second grades have already taken an excursion with the Isar ranger. Other classes have used educational offers for team building. Reading day is now in November. And maybe we can also host the ever popular Advent Bazaar this year. We hope to be able to offer Luci a dance group with the help of our Voluntary Social Year (FSJ). Our chess group has existed since this school year, the places were in great demand. But we want to look at all aspects, and there are still some gaps to be closed in the classroom that have arisen in the children as a result of the lockdown. Fortunately, since November 8th, we have had a qualified pedagogue who supports us as part of the “Building Bridges” initiative, as well as our Luci,who has been in the classes since the beginning of the school year.
Also read: Isardamm Primary School: Rector Monika Bauer is retiring
What is important to you as the rector and as a teacher?
Martina Bäumle:
As the principal, I would like above all that we see ourselves as a school community that has a benevolent focus on life and learning at our school.
Here at the Isardamm School I find the best conditions for this and look forward to our further projects and plans with joy and optimism.
As a teacher - I mainly teach music, English and German this school year - dealing with children on an equal footing is important to me.
It is important to me that school is associated with beautiful experiences.
We teachers have a wonderful job, and this joy carries over to the children too.
I got my dream job via detours and the second educational path.After finishing secondary school and then completing secondary school, I initially worked as an industrial clerk for five years.
I would also like to pass this on to fourth graders in particular: It is not a big deal if it is not enough for high school or secondary school at first.
There are countless ways open to everyone.
I am not an isolated case with my path in life.
Finding one's place in life is the most important thing.
valley
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.