New Principal at the High School Wears Badge Reversed
## Matthias Schönwald: Visionary Director of Aulendorf Gymnasium
Matthias Schönwald, the newly appointed director of Aulendorf Gymnasium, brings a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to the prestigious secondary school in Germany. Before taking on this leadership role, Schönwald served as the pedagogical director at the Museum of the History of Christians and Jews in Laupheim, where he developed educational programs and promoted historical awareness with a focus on Christian-Jewish relations.
### Holistic and Inclusive Approach to Education
Known for his holistic and inclusive approach to education, Schönwald emphasizes intercultural understanding, active learning, ethical and social responsibility, and the integration of history and modern education. His vision is to create a learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to society.
### A New Era for Aulendorf Gymnasium
As director, Schönwald aims to build on the school’s strong academic foundation while strengthening its commitment to cultural awareness, social engagement, and innovative pedagogical practices. He envisions a school where students are encouraged to engage deeply with the material, fostering critical thinking and personal connection.
### Innovative Initiatives at Aulendorf Gymnasium
In addition to his focus on traditional education, Schönwald has several innovative ideas for the school. He plans to organize podium discussions before elections, to be organized by the students themselves. He is also considering ideas for the school’s 75th anniversary celebration and has co-shaped many decisions with the former director, Silke Hubig.
Schönwald is a tech-savvy individual, using digital technologies like whiteboards and digital wristwatches, and he aims to promote "future skills" like debating and presenting ideas to a crowd. He is open to public displays of art or craft projects by students in school premises and values open conversations with parents about sensitive topics like queer content in books.
### A Leader with a Passion for Learning
With a doctorate in history and political science, Schönwald sees a great opportunity for democratic education. He describes himself as a political headmaster, a captain, but also values the input of his team of teachers. He is a cyclist and commutes to school almost daily by bike, and he enjoys trying new things and better contextualizing the 'present' with knowledge from the 'past'.
In his spare time, Schönwald runs a marathon twice a year and races against the students in the school’s charity run. He wears a colorful button with a candle wrapped in rainbow colors as a trademark and is open to critical conversations with parents about sensitive topics like queer content in books.
Matthias Schönwald is the new director of the Aulendorf Gymnasium, and his innovative ideas and commitment to inclusive education promise an exciting new era for the school.
The tech-savvy Matthias Schönwald, with his focus on future skills like debating and presenting, seeks to incorporate technology in the educational-and-self-development process at Aulendorf Gymnasium. Embracing a lifestyle that values open conversations and critical thinking, Schönwald, as the visionary director of the school, aims to foster a learning environment that promotes the interdisciplinary integration of history and modern technology.
