Photo: Network Media | University of Cologne

Practical semester begins at the Inclusive University School Cologne (IUS)

July 2024

The Inclusive University School Cologne (IUS) aims to set new standards in the training of future teachers and become a school for teacher education. This vision was already outlined in the school’s founding concept and was formalized two years ago as a priority area for teacher education with the signing of the cooperation agreement between the City of Cologne, the Cologne District Government, and the University of Cologne. After more than two years of preparation, we have taken a major step toward our goal of making the IUS a school for teacher education. Starting in the 2024/25 school year, the University of Cologne will launch a pilot phase for the IUS practicum semester: 36 students from a wide variety of teaching tracks and subjects across all teacher-training faculties will gain important professional learning experiences at the IUS during the winter semester—12 at the Helios Primary School and 24 at the Helios Secondary School. The academic leadership of the IUS (Prof. Dr. Matthias Martens and Dr. Lucia Sehnbruch) is coordinating the pilot program and facilitating an exchange of content between the professional learning sites (schools, ZfL, ZfsLs, instructors) during the practicum semester. Sandra Lammerding, René Schröder (both HF), and Svea Corban (PHIL) prepared 15 students for inclusive teaching and learning at IUS through a specially developed, interdisciplinary seminar.

On July 3, the 36 students in the practical semester were welcomed at a ceremony at the IUS. Beatrix Busse, Vice Rector for Studies and Teaching, Bettina Albrot, Head of the Cologne Regional Education Landscape Department at the City of Cologne’s Office for School Development, and Boris Preuss, Head of the School Department at the Cologne District Government, recognized the IUS’s work in teacher education in the Cologne training region during a panel discussion and highlighted the IUS’s potential for addressing current challenges in teacher education.

A big thank you goes to everyone in the faculties, at the ZfL, at the participating ZfsLs, and of course at the two Helios schools who contributed with great dedication to the preparation and implementation of the pilot project.

More information: Inclusive University School of the City of Cologne (IUS)