Biology (State certified teaching degree for secondary school)
Steffen Kauer studied to be a Biology teacher at the University of Hohenheim. Today, he loves teaching Biology and Mathematics at the Max-Planck-Gymnasium in Schorndorf.
His tips
Go on every excursion - they are really informative and fun.
When deciding on a topic for the final thesis, don’t be scared off by a large workload.
Teaching between completing your degree and starting your teacher traineeship can open doors.
Teacher of Biology and Mathematics, Max-Planck-Gymnasium, Schorndorf
Studies at the University of Hohenheim 2004-2010
Biology (State certified teaching degree for secondary school)
Job
What are typical activities for you in your job?
Besides teaching, I correct exams and prepare lessons. Especially in biology, you always have to stay up-to-date and work new insights from research into the lessons. Students rightly expect that you know what’s going on and can answer questions. There are also organizational tasks, especially at the start of the school year. Here and in many other areas, communication with colleagues is very important.
“Biology continually challenges us.”
And what is the coolest thing about the job?
For example, when I take a birdsong excursion through the forest with my students, I think: “This is really great!” I can connect my personal interest in species protection and diversity with my profession.
When did you decide on your career?
“Even as a child I wanted to turn over every rock and get to know every animal.”
My father is also a biology teacher. When I was a child, we went outside together and I wanted to turn over every rock and get to know every animal. My passion for biology had already been awakened. When teaching, I can pass on the things that fascinate and excite me to a new generation.
Studies
What were your studies like?
Because you have to be trained in at least two subjects as a teacher, besides biology I also studied math at the University of Stuttgart. I was able to organize my courses so that I was only in Hohenheim for one semester, for example. There was a lot of freedom in that regard.
What about experiences outside of the classroom?
Even when I was still at school I tutored other students. While studying, I continued to do that on a more professional level. For example, I offered Abitur preparatory courses at the Volkshochschule. In the semester breaks, I also sometimes worked on an assembly line. It was a very valuable experience for me to see how other people make a living.
What competences from your studies are important in your job today?
The most important thing is to be able to gain and reduce knowledge. I have to prepare the materials appropriately for the different groups of students. I have to teach knowledge differently to fifth graders than for eleventh graders. Both are interesting: The younger students are really passionate about biology and you have to lay a good foundation, while the older students can focus on complex, challenging topics.
“Teaching Abitur preparatory courses was a good exercise for teaching at schools.”
When I think back on my studies in Hohenheim, I think of...
...a marine biology - terrestrial excursion to Croatia. But also the time in the lab, where I wrote my final thesis in embryology. In that time, I learned an incredible amount and still benefit from it today.
