How do we prepare students for a future where AI will likely be a regular part of everyday life? Kyle Youngblood, Social Studies and History Teacher at L’Anse Creuse Middle School South in Michigan, reflects on where AI tools aide his teaching – and where it’s beneficial to create technology free spaces for students altogether.

In just a few short years, artificial intelligence has gone from a curiosity to a classroom reality. From my perspective as an American teacher, navigating this new landscape has often felt like an overwhelming experience. Throughout the school year, new AI tools seemed to appear almost weekly, often outpacing the guidance available for how they should be used in schools. At the same time, I watched students quickly discover that many of these tools could generate answers, write paragraphs, and complete assignments in seconds. It became clear to me that ignoring AI was not an option. Instead, I spent countless hours exploring new tools, experimenting with different approaches, and learning how AI could support learning without becoming a shortcut around it. I am still learning every day, but that journey has helped me develop a set of guiding principles that allow me to embrace the benefits of AI while keeping student thinking and learning at the center of my classroom.

“Students can interact with historical figures, ask questions about life in ancient civilizations, and participate in choose-your-own-adventure style activities that place them in the shoes of people from different time periods.”

Rather than giving students unrestricted access to AI, I have found the most success using a handful of closed, teacher-controlled tools. These platforms allow me to closely monitor student interactions, see how they are thinking through problems, and gain insight into their understanding in real time. They have also allowed me to create learning experiences that would have been difficult to design just a few years ago. Students can interact with historical figures, ask questions about life in ancient civilizations, and participate in choose-your-own-adventure style activities that place them in the shoes of people from different time periods. Rather than simply reading about history, students are able to engage with it directly, making connections to people and experiences they might not otherwise find relatable.

Beyond student activities, AI has also changed many of my day-to-day responsibilities as a teacher. I regularly use ChatGPT to help create classroom posters and other learning materials based on information I upload. NotebookLM has become a valuable tool for turning readings and source materials into audio and video study guides that students can review at their own pace. I also rely heavily on MagicSchool AI, which has become an important tool in my planning process. It helps me create grading rubrics, generate discussion questions, adapt materials for students with different learning needs, and build many of the student-facing activities I described earlier. None of these tools replace my role as a teacher, but they save valuable time and allow me to focus more on supporting students and designing engaging lessons.

“AI has reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for students to unplug from technology altogether.”

Despite developing a strong understanding of how to use AI in my classroom, the technology has not been without its challenges. Like many teachers, I have seen students turn to ChatGPT, Google’s AI tools, and other platforms to quickly generate answers to questions or complete research tasks while working on the computer. This has forced me to rethink some traditional assignments and assessments. If information can be generated in seconds, simply asking students to find facts or summarize information is no longer enough. Instead, I have increasingly focused on activities that require students to analyze information, defend their reasoning, make connections between ideas, and explain their thinking. It has also reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for students to unplug from technology altogether. Discussions, handwritten responses, and in-class activities often provide a clearer picture of what students truly know and understand. Just as importantly, I have found that effective assessment now requires a strong understanding of each student’s abilities, writing style, and academic voice. When teachers know their students well, it becomes much easier to recognize when a piece of work reflects genuine thinking and when a student may be relying too heavily on AI-generated responses. In many ways, the rise of AI has reinforced the importance of critical thinking, strong teacher-student relationships, and authentic learning experiences.

While the United States and Germany may be approaching AI in education at different speeds, I believe educators in both countries are facing many of the same questions. How do we encourage students to think critically when answers are available in seconds? How do we take advantage of new technology without allowing it to replace the learning process? And how do we prepare students for a future where AI will likely be a regular part of everyday life? I certainly do not have all the answers, and I continue to learn alongside my students. What I have learned is that AI works best when it supports learning rather than replaces it. When used thoughtfully, it can create new opportunities for engagement, creativity, and deeper understanding while still keeping students, teachers, and authentic learning at the center of the classroom.

Kyle Youngblood is a Social Studies and History Teacher at L’Anse Creuse Middle School South in Michigan and an alumnus of our 2025 Transatlantic Study Trip for Teachers.

Der Beitrag “How do we encourage students to think critically when answers are available in seconds?” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

By Amy Brownlee

In June, I was privileged to be part of a group of U.S. teachers who spent nine days in Germany on a transatlantic study trip learning about the country’s modern aspects, including education, politics, government, and culture, and also delving into its complicated history.

While in Berlin, I visited “The Empty Library“, a memorial built in the public square where, on May 10, 1933, in front of a crowd of 40,000, Nazi university students burned 20,000 books deemed “objectionable” and “un-German.”

Organizers prepared a speech to be read at various book burning sites, including the words: “Against decadence and moral decay! For discipline and decency in the family and the nation” (Book Burning Memorial at Bebelplatz).

The book burning was carried out by a group of people trying to suppress ideas they didn’t agree with or find acceptable. Sound familiar?

The memorial, easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it, is made up of a glass panel set flush with the cobblestones. It serves as a window into an underground room featuring empty, white bookshelves, representing both the physical and intellectual void created by destroying books. Several feet away, a metal plate on the ground describes the purpose of the memorial in just a few powerful words.

Part of the memorial plaque reads: “That was only a prelude. Where books are burned, people will be burned in the end.” The quote is from a play by German-Jewish writer Heinrich Heine, whose work was banned by the Nazis. It is likely that copies of his work were burned in that very spot in 1933.

Among other blacklisted books targeted for burning that day was a title by American author, speaker, and activist Helen Keller. In a letter to German university students dated one day before the burning, Keller wrote, “History has taught you nothing if you think you can kill ideas. Tyrants have tried to do that often before, and the ideas have risen up in their might and destroyed them.”

Powerful words.

“A violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life”

More than 90 years later, across the Atlantic, an Ohio man set fire to around 100 library books on Jewish, African American, and LGBTQ history according to a May 14, 2025, report from NBC News.

The incident elicited shock and outrage, especially from those who felt personally attacked due to identifying with the targeted groups.

Ohio Democratic Senator Kent Smith responded by saying this book burning incident “cannot be tolerated”.

Senator Smith went on to say: “I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American. This act of violence is not just a crime against the public catalog of literature that was destroyed, but also is a violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life”.

From Empty Library to Full Shelves: Moving from Censorship to Freedom

In another part of Berlin stands the American Memorial Library. Built during the 1950s and partially funded by donations from Americans, it became the central public library in West Berlin when the city was divided by the Berlin Wall.

The leader of our transatlantic study trip grew up in East Berlin. She told us about a childhood experience of going to the top of the TV Tower, a historical landmark with an observation deck that is the highest point in Berlin. She remembered seeing the spectacular view from the top and looking over into West Berlin and thinking, “Will I ever set foot there?”

She pointed out the American Memorial Library to our teacher group and shared memories of visiting this library as a teenager after the Berlin Wall came down and Germany was reunified. She told us the American Memorial Library was important because it was available to everyone, spread the ideals of democracy and freedom, and provided open access to ideas and information.

My librarian heart was singing when I heard that.

The message was loud and clear: Books are sacred. Libraries are powerful. Intellectual freedom is worth protecting.

Amy Brownlee is a reading teacher and librarian at a small, rural school district in Kansas. She was named the 2017 Kansas School Librarian of the Year and was selected for a National Endowment for the Humanities institute. She won a Fulbright-Hays fellowship and spent a month in Africa with the non-profit Ethiopia Reads and was part of this year’s cohort of Atlantik-Brücke’s Transatlantic Study Trip for Teachers.

Der Beitrag Book Burning and Freedom to Read: Transatlantic Connections erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

by Amy Brownlee

I was honored to be one of fifteen American teachers from thirteen different states selected to participate in the Atlantik-Brücke Transatlantic Study Trip. We traveled through Germany June 8-16, 2025, visiting the cities of Munich, Chemnitz, Dresden, and Berlin. The trip’s itinerary and learning experiences were expertly planned and provided a well-rounded taste of modern Germany.

The outstanding and varied program of activities focused on the areas of: education; history; government, politics, and the media; business and commerce; culture; and environmental sustainability. While it is difficult to convey the full richness of what we experienced, I will share highlights, key learnings, and personal insights.

Education

Visiting schools and talking with German students and teachers was the best part of the trip for me. In speaking with students and learning about their schools first-hand, we were given a remarkable experience that is not available to the average visitor.

We visited three different schools where we enjoyed student-led tours. Each school had its own unique strengths. One school excelled at project-based learning, career exploration, multi-age activities, and clubs. Another school was proud of its historical building, and advanced courses in music and art. At one site, a group of students had prepared presentation stations on different aspects of school life.

“Germany lags behind the United States when it comes to serving special education students.”

Each school visit also included a discussion period or question-and-answer session. The students did not shy away from asking difficult questions about topics such as school shootings and the political climate under the current U.S. president. It was fascinating to learn about the students’ perception of the United States and to find out more about their education system.

Our briefing on Saxony’s education system at the Saxony State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs provided insights on school structure with an emphasis on vocational education and civic education.

Our meeting at Technical University Dresden focused on the teacher training program. We learned that German secondary teachers typically teach two different subjects and are not required to take continuing education classes to retain certification like we are in the U.S. Both Germany and America are currently experiencing a teacher shortage.

We learned that Germany lags behind the United States when it comes to serving special education students. While U.S. schools practice inclusion by integrating students with special needs into the regular classroom with their peers, German special education students attend separate schools.

However, because attending university is free or low-cost for Germans, they are able to earn a degree without the college loan debt that financially cripples many Americans.

“Turning the Dachau concentration camp into a place of peaceful remembrance removes the power of the oppressors and gives the camp over to those who remember and vow “never again.””

History

Our walking tours in Munich, Dresden, and Berlin allowed us to see notable sites in each location and learn about each city’s historical significance.

Highlights of the Munich tour on National Socialism and Resistance included learning about the White Rose Society and activist Sophie Scholl and seeing bullet hole damage from the war left on a building as a remembrance of what happened there.

Our Berlin walking tour gave us incredible insight into the complicated history and turmoil that has happened there. Walking through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and learning about the powerful Stolperstein memorials scattered throughout 24 countries was meaningful and thought-provoking.

Equally powerful was our guided tour at the Berlin Wall Memorial where we learned about the wall’s impact and ramifications. The Stasi Prison tour gave insights into life under the communist regime.

Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial was a sobering and emotionally challenging experience. As I stepped onto the grounds, I felt the heaviness of the horrific cruelty that happened there, but as I walked the tree-lined lane on the way to the chapels, I felt a sense of calm. Turning the camp into a place of peaceful remembrance removes the power of the oppressors and gives the camp over to those who remember and vow “never again.”

Government, politics, and media

We had several informative meetings with experts in the fields of government, politics, and media.

Our dinner meeting with two university researchers gave us an excellent overview of Germany’s political system, including leadership, political parties, structure of parliament, and recent elections. I was intrigued to learn about the coalition system and wondered if something similar could work at home in America.

Our tour of the Bundestag offices and Reichstag building was an excellent follow-up to our study of Germany’s governmental system, and our discussion with a city council member gave us a feel for local politics and immigration issues.

Kate Brady shared insights into her work as a Washington Post researcher and reporter based in Berlin. Her work is vital because quality journalism based on factual information is essential to democracy and is under attack due to the spread of misinformation.

“Hearing America described as a “less reliable ally” and that America’s “democracy is in a profound state of crisis” was alarming.”

One of the most impactful meetings of the entire trip was visiting the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, whose goals are promoting and preserving democracy and security. Our engaging session focused on learning about EU-US relations from Dr. Marco Overhaus and Dr. phil. Ronja Kempin. Hearing Dr. Overhaus describe America as a “less reliable ally” and remark that our America’s “democracy is in a profound state of crisis” was alarming. They expressed concern because trends happening in America often come to the EU 5-10 years later.

Business and commerce

We received a briefing on Chemnitz as the European Capital of Culture 2025, and a tour of the Feldschlösschen Brewery gave us a view of a successful business. After learning about the strength of Germany’s vocational education, I was eager to learn more system through our visit to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We toured a vocational school and saw students completing hands-on training in fully-equipped labs.

Dr. Nick Pruditsch, who focuses on the labor market and skilled workers, explained how the Chamber of Commerce and Industry works with businesses to project what fields will need workers, match students with jobs, and provide training.

Culture

We experienced many elements of German culture firsthand, including visiting biergartens and tasting specialty foods in each region. Traveling to different cities allowed us to contrast the more traditional Bavarian culture with modern and progressive Berlin.

On our tour of the Seiffen Open-Air Museum, we were able to explore rural life and culture in the Ore Mountains and learn about handmade wooden items produced by local artisans.

Environmental sustainability

Dennis Tänzler from the think tank Adelphi shared about Germany’s commitment to phase out the use of coal by 2038, and we learned that the country is actively working on alternative energy sources since they are no longer buying natural gas from Russia.

“Throughout my time in Germany, I observed a variety of sustainability efforts.”

Throughout my time in Germany, I observed a variety of sustainability efforts. We saw multiple wind turbines and banks of solar panels. I also observed public recycling, frequent use of bicycles and walking, efficient public transport, less use of air conditioning, restaurants striving to produce less waste, and hotel energy conservation systems. Although these things were not part of a planned program, they added greatly to my understanding of Germany’s sustainability efforts and inspired me to incorporate more of these practices at home.

Impact on teaching

I noticed several practices common in German education that could be implemented in the U.S. to improve the effectiveness of our schools:

• At one school, students are not given formal grades on report cards in grades 1-7. Students reported liking this system because they feel it takes off pressure to perform.
• One classroom is shared by multiple teachers, so teachers don’t spend a lot of time and funds decorating and personalizing their classrooms as is common in the U.S., which leaves more time to focus on teaching and improves work/life balance.
• Teachers have workstations in a common space, which increases collaboration and communication.
• There is a heavy emphasis on civic education and recognizing misinformation. Ramping up this type of instruction is sorely needed in the U.S.
• At one school, sixth-grade students research the life of a person who died during the Holocaust and honor their memory.

Impact on my perception of Germany and transatlantic relationship

Before this trip, most of my knowledge of Germany came from studying World War II. I was amazed to learn about Germany’s resilience demonstrated through the monumental effort to rebuild after World War II as well as reconciliation efforts after overcoming both physical and ideological divisions. I was extremely impressed with the country’s commitment to collective responsibility and creating a culture of remembrance and feel the U.S. could follow Germany’s lead in those areas.

I learned that in Germany, there is a law against public display of Nazi symbols such as a flag or salute. While this may restrict personal freedom, it is for the greater good. The United States could apply this philosophy to issues such as of gun control.

Personal impact

This trip gave me a completely new view of modern Germany through the transformative experience of discovering the country’s culture of resilience, reconciliation, and remembrance. The impacts of this fellowship are far-reaching and immensely valuable, both personally and professionally. In providing a study trip for American teachers, Atlantik-Brücke has lived up to its name; the whole experience created a strong bridge connecting us to Germany’s history, culture, and people.

Amy Brownlee is a reading teacher and librarian at a small, rural school district in Kansas. She was named the 2017 Kansas School Librarian of the Year and was selected for a National Endowment for the Humanities institute. She won a Fulbright-Hays fellowship and spent a month in Africa with the non-profit Ethiopia Reads and was part of this year’s cohort of Atlantik-Brücke’s Transatlantic Study Trip for Teachers.

Der Beitrag Resilience, reconciliation, and remembrance in modern Germany erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Report by Jesse Deaton

Day 1,
June 24, 2023

Twelve teachers from seven states arrived safely to Berlin and were shuttled to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. We walked over to Potsdamer Platz and were overwhelmed by the welcoming nature of our hosts who guided us in what we should order. We got to know each other over Berliner Kindl Pilsner and Berliner Weiße.

Day 2,
June 25, 2023

Our day began with a Berlin city walking tour, starting at the Brandenburg Gate. During the tour, we were led around the city and amazed by the detailed answers our tour guide Hannah was able to provide for us. As teachers, we asked lots of questions, enough so that the tour took longer than it was supposed to! We proceeded to meet with Dr. Fabrizio Micallizzi and discussed Germany’s political system and foreign policy appraoch, Germans’ responsibilities towards refugees, and what we can do as American teachers to help foster transatlantic relations. Afterwards, we had lunch with Dr. Matthias Rossbach who helped us understand German cooperative Federalism and German politics. In addition, we met with Sabine Luthe to discuss the structure of Germany’s education system. We talked about topics such as curricula, assessment, and foreign language teaching methods. Our day ended in a dinner discussion with two activists from the Fridays for Future climate protection movement, during which we learned about how to encourage students’ passions.

Day 3,
June 26, 2023

The amazement of actually being in Germany finally set in and we were off to Dresden! First, we visited Martin-Andersen-Nexö-Gymansium where the students greeted us, gave us tours of the school, and participated in small group discussions about the differences between German and American schools. We learned about the school’s science specialty and the school choice that parents and students have to make in Germany. Our second meeting in Dresden was with Dr. Roland Loeffler and Dr. Joachim Amm with the Saxon Agency for Civic Education. We discussed voting trends, the nature of division between conservative and liberal belief systems, the conservative tilt of rural areas on the basis of workers’ rights, and the necessity of civic education for a successful democracy. These discussions were eerily similar to those in the United States.

We exchanged stories from our classroom experiences and our personal histories, which left us laughing and commiserating into the night.

We proceeded to tour the former Stasi Prison and Memorial Site Bautzner Strasse which touched us deeply (the prison held political prisoners in East Germany). In the evening, we went to our first German Biergarten where we met with the 2022 alumni of the transatlantic teachers’ trip! Our German counterparts welcomed us with open arms and suggested foods and drinks to try. We exchanged stories from our classroom experiences and our personal histories, which left us laughing and commiserating into the night. At the end of the evening, we parted ways, looking forward to visiting their schools in the coming days.

Day 4,
June 27, 2023

Our wonderful bus drivers shuttled us to Limbach-Oberfrohna where we visited Grit Muller’s school, the Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium. On the way, we made an impromptu stop at a supermarket to pick up snacks to bring home to our families! Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium’s 5th grade class welcomed us with a tour of their favorite parts of their lively school. Their upperclassmen had just finished their exams, so we were able to experience the buzz of excitement in the hallways. Heike Bachmann, then, welcomed us into Pestalozzischule. Her students guided us through the hallways, discussing their vocational programs. After lunch, we visited the Amerika Tierpark with a group of Ms. Bachmann’s students and talked about their favorite animals. We proceeded on to Leipzig and learned about German views of America with journalist Martin Klingst including German views on the Trump presidency and the skepticism that surrounds German-American collaboration. We also discussed the teaching of critical race theory and the controversy around it in the United States. Our day concluded with a beautiful walk through Leipzig to enjoy our first Döner Kebap.

Day 5,
June 28, 2023

The final school we toured was Oberschule Wiederitzsch. Daniel Selle, a 2022 alumnus of the program, opened his school to us and demonstrated an unmatched passion for his students and his subject. We were inundated with the love that this school pours out for its students. From supporting the academic success of their students to special art programs initiated by the teacher, these students were valued as people in their community.

We were inundated with the love that this school pours out for its students.

Afterwards, we proceeded to the Museum of Contemporary History Leipzig and found yet another deeply enriching historical experience. The tour was soaked in historical details, yet made personally relatable by our tour guide and our host, Franka. After our tour, we ate lunch at Auerbachs Keller and we learned about the restaurant’s history: It was already well-established in the 16^th century and featured prominently in Goethe’s play, “Faust.” The food was delicious and the Apfelkuchen was particularly wonderful! Another 2022 alumnus, Daniel Riedel, led our tour of the Völkerschlacht Memorial where we learned another layer of German history and created memories with our fellow teachers. To finish out the day, we attended a stand-up comedy show by Shakak Shapira during which many jokes were made about Texas because one of our colleagues was a Texan! When the show was over, we enjoyed lively discussion with Daniel Selle and Daniel Riedel exploring more ways that our schools could collaborate at different grade levels.

Day 6,
June 29, 2023

Our final day in Germany started out with a bang as we got to ride the bullet train from Leipzig to Berlin! We arrived in Berlin and made our way to tour the Bundestag. We were able to spend a significant amount of time here during which we studied the skyline, discussed the symbolism of transparency in the dome’s design, and highlighted our favorite parts of the trip thus far. For lunch, we met at the Atlantik-Brücke headquarters to debrief about our trip. Our group noted the truly life changing, inspiring nature of the opportunity we were given. The intercultural exchange that we witnessed in each city was astounding. We also noted the inclusion of climate protection that blended throughout each community from public transport to not seeing a single paper cup in a restaurant. We discussed the connections that were made between us, the American teachers, as well as between our group and the German teachers. We each look forward to incorporating these relationships into our classrooms. Our free time that afternoon was filled with museum tours, a visit to the East Side Gallery, visits with international friends, and delicious snacks. To wrap up our last day in Germany, we had a farewell dinner at a Turkish restaurant which was a perfect way to inspire more cultural exchange in our group.

Each host welcomed us with open arms, excited to form a relationship and share their expertise.

The highlight of this trip truly is the people you meet. Each host welcomed us with open arms, excited to form a relationship and share their expertise. We witnessed their passions and their talents alongside their best work. From seeing teachers care for their students to hearing foreign officers praise transatlantic relations, we became more inspired the longer into our journey we went. During our trip, we meditated on personal connections we have made with our own students and developed new connections with teachers across the US and in Germany. These connections will serve us well in the future for exchange programs, pen pal projects, and for furthering our own education. Most of all, these relationships will help us become better people for ourselves, our families, and our students by emphasizing the necessity for relationships between nations.

Der Beitrag Insightful, Inspirational, Interconnected erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Every year the Atlantik-Brücke invites a group of American social studies, German, and history teachers to participate in a week-long study trip to Germany. The program is one of Atlantik-Brücke’s oldest, and it allows teachers from different parts of the country to learn more about modern Germany. The study trips are very comprehensive: the teachers visit German schools, learn about German companies, and speak with leaders from politics, the media, and culture. The teachers bring their experiences and insights back to their classrooms in order to provide their students with a vivid picture of Germany.

An integral part of the trip is the connections that are enabled through Atlantik-Brücke’s network. Our members generously open their doors to the teachers and provide intimate atmospheres for open exchanges with high-ranking politicians. This year, Atlantik-Brücke member Ulrich Kissing invited the teachers to his home for an evening discussion with Hans-Ulrich Klose, the former Coordinator for Transatlantic Relations and Chairman of the USA Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag. Another member, Christian Krienke, invited the participants to join him for a private dinner with the former Defense Minister Volker Rühe to discuss the German-American friendship and the future of transatlantic relations.

One of the core elements of the exchange for American teachers is the introduction to the German school system which is supported through visits to different types of schools. Last year, the teachers visited the Hamburger Stadtteilschule Finkenwerder, which focuses on integrative teaching methods in socio-economic and ethnically diverse classrooms. At the Berlin Herder-Gymnasium, the emphasis is on bilingual classes and the promotion of student exchanges. The visits to the German classrooms allowed the teachers to get to know their German counterparts and have discussions with the students. The participants were also able to observe the different teaching methods and compare them with their own. In Leipzig, the teachers visited a Berufsschule (technical training school) which is part of the duales Ausbildungssystem (dual education system) which does not exist in the United States. Satinder Hawkins from Milikan High School in Long Beach, CA summarized her experiences, “I loved learning about the dual education system in Germany. The way that workers of all kinds are honored and trained with the inclusion of communities and business partners goes a long way in explaining Germany’s economic strength.” Furthermore, the teachers were able to see trainee students in action at Airbus Operations GmbH in Hamburg.

The participants also visited the offices of SPIEGEL, a prominent news magazine, and met with Cordula Meyer, the Deputy Editor in Chief of the German Desk. The group discussed a wide range of current events in Germany from the parliamentary elections to the energy transformation to the percentage of women in leadership positions. It was important to the teachers to discuss the NSA revelations, which they were able to do in a lunch meeting with Journalist and Moderator Ingo Zamperoni. These meetings provided them with a thorough overview of the German and American media landscape and the different communication formats. The teachers were also able to gain insights into the role of the church in Germany through a discussion with Pastor Alexander Röder in the Hamburg St. Michel Church.

In Berlin, the teachers visited the offices of the Insitut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln (Cologne Institute for Economic Research). The speech given by the Deputy Director Dr. Hans-Peter Fröhlich, imparted the group with a summary of the current economic challenges that Germany and Europe are facing. Afterwards, the group met with several members of the German Bundestag: Reinhard Brandl (CSU), Christian Hirte (CDU), Lars Klingbeil (SPD), und Stefan Liebich (Die Linke). The representatives spoke with the teachers about the results of the elections, the coalition negotiations, and the political system in Germany.

During their time in Berlin, the teachers also confronted Germany’s past. The group visited the Sachsenhausen memorial and learned more about National Socialism and also the division of Berlin at the Berlin Wall Memorial. In Leipzig, the teachers learned even more about the post-war history of Germany. The dinner with Atlantik-Brücke Board Member Karsten Uhlmann left a lasting impression on the teachers. He shared his personal experiences from his youth in the DDR. Eric Twisselmann from LaSerna High School shared his feelings, “I feel I have a lot of personal stories – real names, with real faces – to bring back to my students and my school, that I did not have before. And so many of these stories, though unique and situated in the ‘German History,’ have something universal to communicate that our students need to hear.”

On Sunday, the teachers made their way back to California and even before they had landed they had already started discussing a reunion. The lasting impressions that the trip left were evident through various thank you letters that were sent to the Atlantik-Brücke. Karina Morales from the Albert Einstein Academy in San Diego wrote, “I will describe this trip as the most intellectual and powerful trip I have ever experienced. Since I have been back I can’t stop talking about it, to my colleagues, friends, and family. I learned so much about Germany and am eager to learn even more, I was inspired by this trip.”

Der Beitrag Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2013 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

During their short, yet intensive stay in Germany the teachers got to know high-ranking leaders from politics, economics or the media and visited various schools, companies and institutions. Especially the group from Texas was grateful to escape the heat at home and enjoy the gentle temperatures in Germany during summer.

Thanks to the hospitality of Atlantik-Brücke members who opened the doors of their homes, the teachers enjoyed intimate atmospheres for open exchanges with invited speakers. This year, our member Dr. Sebastian Muschter and his wife Pamela invited the teachers to their home in Eltville. After the welcome by Patrick Kunkel, mayor of Eltville, and his wife Eva-Maria, the group took a walk through Eltville’s famous rosarium and enjoyed a wine tasting in the cozy backyard of the Muschter family.

In Berlin, the teachers were invited for dinner at the house of Atlantik-Brücke member Dr. Kurt Schwarz. During the dinner, Karsten Uhlmann, CEO of the Frankfurter Brauhaus GmbH and member of the Atlantik-Brücke, shared his experiences and memories of his youth in the GDR. At another private dinner invitation in Cologne, organized by our member Martin Wilhelm and his wife Kathy, U.S. Consul General Stephen Hubler talked openly about current challenges for the transatlantic relationship – mainly the NSA-affair – but also elaborated on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Mr. Hubler also discussed possibilities for strengthening trust in the transatlantic relationship again.

Sandra Dieckman, a long-time German and Spanish teacher at Denton High School in Texas, summarized her experience with the personal contact to our members and guests-speakers as follows: “This was the best experience I have had in Germany. The assortment of people and topic fields was so diverse that I feel that every corner of my Germany picture has begun to fill in. Making the personal connection and simply being able to ask questions without judgment was invaluable.”

One of the core elements of the study trip is to familiarize the American teachers with the German school system. In order to be able to contrast the German with the U.S. school system, the teachers visited various schools and got to know teachers and students during several discussions. This year, the group visited the Paul-Hindemith comprehensive school in Frankfurt. The school’s principal Matthew George is especially committed to the integration of all cultural backgrounds and school forms. In Bonn the group visited the Clara-Schumann-Gymnasium and learned about the school’s approach of how to combine language teaching with history lessons. During a visit of the Bildungswerk Kreuzberg, the teachers learned more about the German concept of the dual education system. Beth Burau, German teacher at Bishop Lynach high School, Dallas, Texas, described the influence of the school visits on her own teaching as follows: „The Atlantik-Brücke Study Trip experience will be an instrumental influence on my teaching. Not only will I be able to share the facts, history, and story of Germany with my students, but I will now be able to fully immerse my Texan students (as much as possible) in the modern German culture. Stereotypes will continue to be dismantled and the significance and importance of the German / American relationship will be examined.”

A further topic on the agenda of journey was a visit at the WDR in Cologne. Here, the group discussed freedom of the press in the German media system – especially in comparison to the USA. In Cologne, the teachers also visited the Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft. Dr. Hans-Peter Fröhlich, Deputy Director, spoke on current economic developments in Europe, answered questions about the German labor markets. He also gave an overview on the hotly debated plans for aTransatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). At the European Central Bank, Christine Graeff, Director of the Department of Communication&Language, elaborated on the development of the Euro and the European banking system.

In Bonn, the teachers visited the Deutsche Post / DHL and were introduced to the company over lunch by Christopher Wade, team leader of internal communications. Wade, an American himself, also shared personal insights about his experience of cultural differences between the U.S. and Germany – for example that mowing the lawn on a Sunday is prohibited in Germany. While having a joint breakfast at Microsoft Ventures Accelerator in Berlin, the teachers gained insights about the German Start-Up scene and had a discussion with Shelley McKinley, Member of the Managing Board, Assistant General Counsel and Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft Deutschland GmbH. Afterwards the teachers participated in a discussion with members of the German parliament. Christian Hirte (CDU), Lars Klingbeil (SPD), Stefan Liebich (Die Linke) and Manuel Sarrazin (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen) discussed the German political system, the transatlantic relationship and the current challenges it faces. The teachers were impressed that the politicians got along so well – in spite of their different party affiliations.

During their time in Berlin, the teachers also confronted Germany’s past. The group visited the Sachsenhausen memorial and learned more about National Socialism and the division of Berlin at the Berlin Wall Memorial.

Suzy Holland, German teacher at the Earl Warren High School, San Antonio, Texas, summarized her overall impression of the study trip as follows:„ I am honored that I was chosen to participate and get to know some very fine human beings. This far outweighs any nationality. I am hopeful for our future as I see what kind of people are working for mutual understanding here in Germany.”

Der Beitrag Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2014 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The 2015 program was offered in close cooperation with the office of Congressman Charlie Dent (R – PA) who also supported the selection process of the teachers. This year the regional focus lay exclusively on Pennsylvania. All teachers were expected to have several years of professional teaching experience in a relevant subject. Atlantik-Bruecke was looking for candidates that showed a genuine interest in cultural exchange and could demonstrate how they plan to utilize this experience for the benefit of their students and fellow teachers. Thorough preparation of the materials provided by Atlantik-Bruecke was expected of each candidate. Eventually ten women and five men were selected to come to Germany.

The study trip took place from the 14th to the 21st of June 2015 and led the fifteen teachers all across Germany to the cities of Stuttgart, Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin. During this intense week the teachers met German students, historians, high-ranking political leaders as well as the heads of some of Germany’s most exceptional businesses.
A number of Atlantik-Bruecke members invited the group to their homes for conversations and discussions in a more private setting. Among them were Harald Leibrecht, President, Board of Directors of the CEPA Foundation, Ingersheim and Karsten Uhlmann, Atlantik-Bruecke member of the board and CEO of Frankfurter Brauhaus GmbH, Frankfurt an der Oder. Harald Leibrecht and his family welcomed the group to a BBQ at the family’s historic castle Schloss Ingersheim. Karsten Uhlmann took the teachers on a tour through the Feldschlößchen brewery and spoke of his upbringing in the GDR over dinner.

In Berlin, the group visited the German Bundestag and met with Atlantik-Bruecke members Andreas Lämmel, MdB (Christian Democrats) and Stefan Liebich, MdB (The Left Party). Andreas Lämmel and Stefan Liebich discussed the current political issues in Germany with the group and shared their views on the crisis in Greece. The teachers were positively surprised by the level of transparency and comradery among the leadership. Afterwards the group headed to the foreign ministry for a joint lunch with Jürgen Hardt, MdB (Christian Democrats), Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation. Mr. Hardt, an Atlantik-Bruecke member, spoke of Germany’s global role and gave insights to the conflict in the Ukraine as well as current challenges for the transatlantic relationship.

At the United States European Command Headquarters (EUCOM) in Stuttgart, Ambassador Patrick Moon welcomed the group for a briefing, explained the deep and successful military ties between the United States and Germany and put them into a historical and contemporary perspective.

In Stuttgart, Minister Alexander Bonde (The Greens/Alliance ‘90), Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg, met the group for a joint lunch. Minister Bonde talked about the differences in consumer protection between the EU and the United States, thereby illustrating some of the challenges of successfully negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

One core element of the study trip and naturally of great interest to the teachers is the German educational system. The teachers visited the renowned Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium near Stuttgart and joined the children in their classrooms. In Dresden, the group visited the Berufsschulzentrum für Elektrotechnik Dresden (Vocational School) and got to experience and understand the German dual educational system. In both institutions the group had engaged exchanges with the students and their teachers and in some cases even decided to become pen pals.

Another important element of the trip is to experience the German business world. This began with a meeting at the Daimler AG headquarters with the department of external affairs. Here, the group received insights to the concerns, potentials and overall global strategy for the company’s Mercedes brand cars. At Bell Flavors & Fragrances in Leipzig, American-born CEO Michael Heinz introduced the teachers to some of the origins of well-known scents and tastes in the food industry and spoke of his experiences as an American living in Germany.

In Berlin, Launch Manager Martin Bell of Rocket Internet SE introduced the group the local start-up scene. Afterwards the teachers visited the office of Atlantik-Bruecke for an Energy-Talk with Atlantik-Bruecke member Dr. Wolfgang Dierker, Director Government Affairs & Policy, General Electric Germany, Berlin, Dr. Joachim Lang, Head of Berlin Office, E.ON AG and Marie-Christine von Hahn, Head of Group Representative Office Berlin, Aurubis AG. The discussion revolved around Germany’s energy mix, energy related policies and the public’s concern regarding fracking. Coming from Pennsylvania, the teachers were very informed and interested on the experts’ opinions on fracking technology.

At the ARD Berlin studio (German television), TV correspondent Arnd Henze explained the functioning of German public broadcasting and shared his views on current political issues and the role that the German media should play with respect to coverage.

Naturally the teachers were also keen to broaden their understanding of German history. The group visited the Sachsenhausen Memorial and experienced firsthand the darkest chapter of Germany’s past. A guided tour of the Berlin Wall Memorial illustrated the former division of Berlin, explained the geopolitical reasons behind it and gave insights to life in the GDR.

Andrew Hull, an economics teacher from the Palmyra Area High School in Palmyra, PA, acknowledged in his thank-you letter: “When I was younger, I was told that the world is only as big as a person can see. Through this trip, you have opened my eyes in a way that words cannot properly articulate. I am forever grateful for Atlantik-Bruecke coming into my life and for being accepted into the program.” Rick Hadley, a German teacher from the Kutztown Area Middle School in Kutztown, PA, summarized his overall experience as follows: “I was absolutely blown away by this experience! Meeting with policy makers, business men and educators first-hand is the best thing that has ever happened for my profes-sional career and students back home…” German Teacher Kristi Szabo, from the Parkland High School in Allentown, PA, concluded: “I think the program is fantastic! What I found most useful were the speakers who spoke about current topics and opinions in Germany. This is what I try and teach in my classroom.”

Der Beitrag Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2015 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Fifteen American social studies and history teachers participated in this year’s study trip to Germany. From June 5-12, the teachers from Ohio travelled from Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Dresden and Berlin. The study trip’s itinerary included visits to schools and companies as well as meetings with representatives from politics, the media, and think tanks to promote discussion and the exchange of ideas.

Just like in the past, many of Atlantik-Brücke’s members and Young Leaders Alumni contributed to this year’s study trip program. Young Leaders Alumni Carsten von der Linden and Roman Deininger guided the teachers on a city tour exploring Munich. Markus Blume, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament (CSU), welcomed the group of teachers to the Bavarian State Parliament. After a tour of the historical building, he provided interesting insights into German politics on state level.

The study trip also included a visit to the George C. Marshall Center, a European Center for Security Studies located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It was the highlight of the week for many of the participants. Director Keith W. Dayton and Dr. Robert Brannon, Dean of the College of International and Security Studies, introduced the group to the Center’s different programs and discussed current issues in security and foreign policy with the teachers. After this, the group visited Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, which allowed the teachers to be in two countries at the same time: with one leg in Germany and one leg in Austria, the trip to the Zugspitze offered an exciting experience.

At the BMW Welt in Munich, the group was introduced to the various vocational training opportunities offered by BMW and gained insight into the company’s products and marketing strategies. The teachers spent the evening in Dresden with Atlantik-Brücke board member Karsten Uhlmann. He invited them to his brewery, the Feldschlößchen Brauerei, where they enjoyed a traditional German “Abendbrot” (a light supper). Uhlmann shared his experiences living in the GDR and ofthe fall of the Berlin Wall. This offered the teachers a new perspective on an important part of German history.

The teachers were very interested to learn more about the German school system and its differences to the American system. At the Oberschule (Highschool) Cossebaude in Dresden they joined classes and met 8th graders. Some teachers, who were able to witness the integration of young refugees into German classes, were particularly impressed. Lainie Keper from Islander Middle School described her visit as „incredibly powerful“ and pledged: „I will advocate for my school to act in the refugee crisis.”

The teachers spent a historic afternoon in Dresden and took a tour of the Frauenkirche with Reverend Sebastian Feydt before they headed to the Sächsische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung (State Agency for Civic Education of Saxony). The Center’s director Frank Richter did not only offer an overview of the goals and methods of his institution but also impressed the teachers with his personal history of the German reunification and his recommendations for social studies lessons. For Kayeann Batanian, a teacher from Swanton Middle, this discussion was certainly one of the trip’s highlights: „Everything he said I am going to focus on with my 7th graders.“

Atlantik-Brücke’s Young Leaders Alumni and members also contributed to the Berlin section of the trip. The teachers participated in a lively discussion about freedom of speech and populism with Members of the Bundestag Metin Hakverdi (SPD), Tobias Lindner (Alliance90/The Greens), and Mark Hauptmann (CDU/CSU). The upcoming presidential election in the United States was a major topic as well. After the discussion, the teachers had a lunch discussion with Jürgen Hardt, Member of the Bundestag (CDU/CSU), and coordinator for transatlantic cooperation, at the International Club of the German Federal Foreign Office. They discussed the importance of transatlantic cooperation and the necessity to promote open communication given the increasing complexity of international conflicts. An event at the Magnus Haus provided insights into the refugee crisis. Sebastian Muschter, acting president of the LaGeSo, Juliane Schäuble from the newspaper Tagesspiegel, as well as  Joachim Jäger and Mario Geiger from the German Red Cross discussed their experiences of how the refugee crisis is being handled in Germany. The role of the media and its impact on public opinion in Germany and the United States was of particular interest at this event.

Young Leader Alumnus Uwe Horstmann, a representative of Berlin’s thriving start-up community, introduced the teachers to his company called Project A Ventures. During this meeting, the trip’s participants were able to experience Berlin’s entrepreneurial spirit first hand.

German history certainly played an important role during the study trip. The teachers visited theBerlin Wall memorial, where they gained insights and took pictures to use in the classroom. Carrie Lockhart, a teacher at Otsego Junior High School, summarized: „I have so many historical references and pictures to take back home.“ The group’s visit to the museum and Memorial Sachsenhausen was a very moving part of the program which created lasting and unique memories and insights into this period of German history. Kristin Schnerer from Toledo’s Start High School has captured this in a single sentence: „Sachsenhausen – being there, where truly horrible things happened, will fundamentally change how I discuss the Holocaust.”

A festive dinner in Berlin marked the end of the 2016 study trip for the group of American social studies teachers. On Sunday morning, they headed back to the United States. While the farewell was “bittersweet”, the teachers were very eager and excited to share their experiences with their friends, families, and especially their students. Andrew Carr from Swinton High School concluded: “The people I’ve met here have shown me that it’s ok to be more open and direct with my students, even about politics. “

Der Beitrag Study Trip for Social Studies Teachers 2016 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..