Theresa Kuenzel, Karlsruhe, Germany

The Storyline Method extended my opportunities in life – 16 fabulous weeks in a Scottish school

My name is Theresa Künzel and I will be a teacher for Primary and Secondary Schools in Germany. I got to know the Storyline Method during my stay abroad at Halmstad University, Sweden 2007/2008. Then I decided to attend the International Storyline Conference in Gothenburg in Spring 2008. Both, Steve Bell and Ulf Schwänke, whom I got to know at the conference, encouraged me to write my final paper  at my home university about the Storyline Method  – which I did sucessfully  but I wanted to learn more about the Storyline Method. That is why I got in contact with Steve and Sallie. Steve suggested that I get in touch with his daughter Pamela Adamson who is the headteacher of Kinnaird Primary School in Falkirk, Scotland.

It was arranged that I could spend  the beginning of September to Christmas 2010 there. Thankfully the stay was funded by the ERASMUS scholarship through my home university in Karlsruhe, Germany.

At Kinnaird I worked mainly in a P5 class (age 8/9) as a teaching assistant but was always warmly invited to other classes working with the Storyline Method. During my stay I saw Storylines about fairy land, a shopping centre, elderly people in the community and junior apprentice.

In short it was a great time with lots of experience! I could not only learn from my fabulous  teacher  and her colleagues who allowed me to have a 16 week insight into their teaching, class routines and school life from which I will definitely profit in my own teaching career but also from the amazing experience to live in this stunning country. Scotland is inhabited with warm and welcoming people who  I already miss! I cannot thank them enough for the wonderful time I enjoyed during my stay.