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Finding Solace in the Classroom: Refugee Teachers Find a New Path in Germany
Gathered around lunch tables, students from around the globe chat about exams and plans for the weekend. Among them, a group of Middle Eastern women stand out, sharing stories of their journey to restart their careers. "I'm thrilled to be back in class" says Meyda Ibrahim, a 36-year-old Syrian woman who taught English before fleeing her homeland. Her Iraqi counterpart agrees, "It feels amazing to be back in a seminar room."
These women are participants in the Teaching Plus program, launched in response to the growing influx of refugees. This initiative empowers teachers who have already taught their subjects in their home countries, helping them navigate the German education system.
At the University of Bielefeld, they undergo a yearlong course in German, pedagogy, and intercultural learning, followed by teaching practice, professional counseling, and school application assistance. Kristina Purrmann, the project coordinator, explains their mission: "We aim to bridge the gap for teachers with a migrant background who bring valuable professional experience."
Transitioning from war zones to the classroom is a significant leap for these teachers. Many of them were accustomed to a teacher-centered approach, where silence reigned during classes. "In Syria, my teacher never allowed us to speak during lessons," says Meyda. A fellow student from Kurdistan recalls the same experience: "If the teacher spoke, talking was forbidden." The women find the German learning culture a vast improvement, with more active classes and self-assured students.
After completing her studies, a sports teacher from Syria spent three years teaching in war-torn conditions, with danger lurking as he made his way to school. "I frequently encountered soldiers on my path," he recalls. "Once they stopped me for a checkup and conscripted me into the army. I knew during basic training that I was in the wrong place. I could never point a weapon at my people, so I fled."
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From War to the Classroom
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The athletic man escaped Syria on foot to the Turkish border, then dared the sea crossing from Izmir. "We were about 50 people on a rubber boat, including children, babies, women, and men. It was so cramped that we could hardly move. Eventually, water leaked into the boat. Luckily, we were rescued by Greek fishermen."
Upon arriving in Germany, he spent three months sleeping in a sports hall before returning as a sports teacher at the same hall. Educator Kristina Purrmann acknowledges that some participants in the program have faced war and violence. "Occasionally, these topics come up" she says, "and when we notice someone needs time to process such experiences, we facilitate contact with the university's counseling services."
During the qualification, participants receive financial support from the job center. Mohammad Nazir fund his living expenses and received an additional 435 euros. "I didn't want money from the job center," he insists. "I wanted to earn it myself. Most importantly, I wanted to resume my career as a teacher." His relentless determination paid off; he's now working as a teacher in Germany.
Germany currently faces a shortage of trained teachers, with many schools struggling to fill positions. Purrmann emphasizes the program's potential contribution: "Some schools have difficulty filling up to 60% of their teaching positions. Our program can undoubtedly make a difference." Moreover, teachers in German schools encounter students with diverse cultural backgrounds, making it essential to create a more diverse teaching staff.
Mohammad Nazir initially worked as a substitute teacher, eventually securing multiple full-time positions. Other participants have also achieved great strides.
Between Homesickness and Hope
Yara Arslan's housing estate in Lohne is peaceful and calm, in stark contrast to the reality she left behind in Syria. In 2014, she and her family fled the war-torn country despite former a fulfilling life there. She taught English, mathematics, and Arabic in a private school until the chaos and destruction forced them to leave. "My city was almost destroyed, the IS took over control. We were afraid, we are Christians," says Yara, overlooking the garden where her husband and his brothers are laying a new terrace. "The war destroyed the feeling of trust and community."
Although the situation in Syria has stabilized more than some observers expected after the fall of Assad, the risks for minorities like Christians still exist. "Today, we don't feel safe in Syria," Yara admits. "We plan to build our future in Germany."
Yara faced challenges returning to her teaching profession, receiving rejections and having her qualifications dismissed. Her husband, Elias Abduh, graduated as a business economist and initially worked in a fast-food restaurant before completing the integration course. His perseverance paid off; today, he manages Middle Eastern markets for a multinational company.
While her husband was climbing the career ladder, Yara struggled with German bureaucracy as she recognized her qualifications, wrote multiple job applications, and fought to find employment. The Lehrkräfte Plus program proved a turning point. "That helped us a lot," she emphasizes. "For a year, we were trained. Afterwards, I got a temporary position. When a job for heritage language instruction was advertised in Minden, I applied immediately. My advantage was the experience I gained through Lehrkräfte Plus. That's why I got the job."
Yara Arslan has been working as a teacher at a primary school for three years now, focusing on integration pedagogy and multilingual education. She instills in her students the importance of diversity and the celebration of various languages and cultures: "It's amazing to see how eagerly they learn from each other."
The deputy headteacher, Süreyya Bonitz, appreciates Yara's contributions to the school, stating, "We've welcomed many children with refugee experience or immigrant families for a long time. We never thought we'd ever be able to hire teachers who had been trained in one of those countries themselves." Bonitz herself is the daughter of Turkish migrants and emphasizes how the school's policies have evolved, aiming to promote a more diverse teaching staff to reflect the cultures of their students.
Despite missing Syria dearly, a return is not an option for Yara and her family. "We've achieved so much here. I gave birth to both my daughters in Germany. For them, I wish a peaceful future, far from war and poverty."
- The teachers in the Teaching Plus program, including Meyda Ibrahim and other participants, are finding solace and a new path in Germany, as they undergo courses in German, pedagogy, and intercultural learning to equip them for the German education system.
- In addition to fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and education-and-self-development, the Teaching Plus program offers a unique learning opportunity for refugees who are eager to share their valuable professional experience in lifestyle fields such as teaching.
- Upon completing their qualification, some participants in the program, like Mohammad Nazir, succeed in resuming their careers in Germany, providing an essential contribution to schools facing a teacher shortage, and fostering a more diverse and culturally rich learning environment for students.
