The 16th CONTACTA HochFranken has kicked off with a well-attended opening event and a regional teacher training course at the Hof University of Applied Sciences. Around 1,300 school pupils from the region were able to find out about vocational training and degree courses from 75 companies and expert presentations at the training fair on Wednesday and Thursday (24 and 25 September from 8.30 am to 1 pm). Young people will be able to gain additional insights into a wide variety of professions and fields of study at numerous presentations by the Upper Franconian service clubs and Hof University of Applied Sciences.
To kick things off, the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT network welcomed around 40 teachers to an exclusive teacher training course. After being welcomed by Chairwoman Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Munich-based special needs teacher Dr. Edith Wölfl gave a talk on a highly topical subject: “Making children resilient – resilience at school”. Wölfl is a proven practitioner who has been working with emotionally or socially stressed children in Munich’s Hasenbergl district for decades.
In her presentation, Dr. Wölfl made it clear that resilience – i.e. psychological resistance to biological, psychological and psychosocial risks – is a decisive factor for the healthy development of children. Although the term is overused in everyday language, its significance for educational practice remains central: “What is suitable for difficult children is always suitable for all children,” said Wölfl. She referred to international studies, such as the famous Kauai study by Emmy Werner, which prove which factors make children strong for life despite difficult starting situations.
Risk factors and protective mechanisms
The speaker presented the contrast between risk factors – such as poverty, violence in the family or frequent changes of school – and protective factors in a particularly impressive way. The latter can lie in the child itself, for example in intelligence, social skills or the ability to accept help, as well as in the family and environment. Reliable caregivers, positive role models such as committed teachers and a supportive social environment are also crucial in opening up prospects for young people. According to Wölfl, this can also mitigate the consequences of severe crisis experiences and increase the chances of a successful life.
Methods for increasing resilience
In order to effectively promote resilience in children, it is important to specifically train their perception of themselves and others, to transform negative thought patterns into positive perspectives and to strengthen both self-regulation and self-efficacy. In addition, children should learn methods for dealing with stress and strategies for successful problem solving. “Particular attention should also be paid to developing social skills, building positive friendships and teaching basic skills such as kindness,” explained Dr. Edith Wölfl. It is also beneficial to closely involve the parental home and to include competent and caring adults in the child’s environment in the work. “Resilience can only grow if children grow up in a supportive network of family, school and community,” emphasized Wölfl.
Belief in the strengths of the child
She also emphasized how crucial it is for teachers to believe in the strengths of the child, to have clear and consistent rules and to create an appreciative and warm-hearted atmosphere. A high standard of performance, the pursuit of goals and a constructive feedback culture also help to promote young people’s willingness to work hard. Finally, she summarized her message in a striking image:
Make them feel successful! The classroom is a space of hope!”
Dr. Edith Wölfl
Kick-off event
Around 150 guests from schools, business and the supporting service clubs attended the subsequent kick-off event in the largest lecture room at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Chairwoman of the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT network and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietmar Wolff, Vice President of Teaching and Further Education at Hof University of Applied Sciences, welcomed the guests – not without asking Hof’s Lord Mayor Eva Döhla and the representative of the Ministerial Commissioner for Grammar Schools in Upper Franconia, Martina Schmidt-Kessel, to give a word of welcome.
Upper Franconia is one of Bavaria’s regions of the future and this is another message that CONTACTA should send out this year!”
Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Chairwoman of the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT network
There are many opportunities for pupils today. But perhaps the many opportunities also lead to a certain lack of orientation. The new concept of the fair offers the opportunity to obtain targeted information about training or study opportunities.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietmar Wolff, Vice President Hof University of Applied Sciences
“At CONTACTA, functioning bridges are built – between theory and practice. And bridges to the future of our region. CONTACTA provides authentic insights into our companies and the world of work. “
Eva Döhla, Mayor of the City of Hof
“There are only detours, there are no wrong paths and there are no dead ends – for very few of us, the career path has always been straightforward. The world of work offers many alternatives and many opportunities for young people – including those returning to the region!”
StDin Martina Schmidt-Kessel, Deputy Ministerial Representative for grammar schools in Upper Franconia and Head of Jean-Paul-Gymnasium Hof
Panel discussion
In a discussion with StDin Maniana Füg, sixth form coordinator at Jean-Paul-Gymnasium Hof, Dr. Edith Wölfl, teacher training officer, then delved further into the topic of “Resilience for pupils” and summed up: “Schools need to start appreciating children’s strengths and give them confidence and joy instead of just focusing on their weaknesses. After all, teachers don’t teach subjects, they teach children. Pupils, in turn, have to accept that there will never be achievement without a certain amount of pressure to perform – that’s part of it too,” says Dr. Wölfl.
Award-winning P-seminars and projects
As always, the highlight was the awarding of prizes for outstanding P-seminars by the Hochfranken business initiative, whose spokesperson Jürgen Werner presented the awards.
The award winners
Four prizes of equal value were awarded, including a special prize for special commitment to vocational orientation.
Jean-Paul-Gymnasium Hof (300 €)
Seminar: “Women’s lives in Hof. Strong stories. Strong women”
Leading subject: History
Teacher: Kathrin Rau
Criteria that convinced the jury:
- Sustainable anchoring in the Hochfranken region
- Promotion of cultural education for young people
- Many external partners
- Extensive and comprehensive project
FOSBOS Hof (300 €)
Project: “From the SMV room to a room for everyone”
Teacher: Melanie Fuchs
Criteria that convinced the jury:
- Sustainable and well thought-out design of a space that will benefit the entire school family
- Creation of a learning and recreational space for pupils
- Promotion of the school climate
Schiller-Gymnasium Hof (300 €)
Seminar: “Edu Breakout”
Leading subject: Mathematics
Teacher: Alexandra Ströhla
Criteria that convinced the jury:
- Many external partners
- Sustainable use of the product possible: not only benefits the current year group, but will also be incorporated into everyday school life in the future
Special prize
Jean-Paul-Gymnasium Hof (300 €)
Seminar: “Abi – and then what?”
Leading subject: Business & Law
Teacher: Barbara Leupold
Criteria that convinced the jury:
- Innovative and practical support for career guidance
- Lasting effect for future classes
- Strong networking and active involvement of external partners
Background:
CONTACTA HochFranken is supported by the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Hof network, Hof University of Applied Sciences and the Rotary Club Hof-Bayern, the Rotary Club Hof-Bayerisches Vogtland, the Lions Club Hochfranken and the Lions Club Hof as well as the Soroptimist International Club Hof. The careers information covers a total of 36 occupational fields. A total of 13 schools from Hochfranken and beyond are taking part. These include the grammar schools from Hof, Kronach and Bad Lobenstein. Hof University of Applied Sciences itself will also be presenting its range of courses in the fields of economics, engineering, computer science and interdisciplinary and innovative sciences during 20 lectures.
Further information and complete program: www.contacta-hochfranken.de
