A teacher exchange occurred between Swedish schools Olshammarskolan and Hinnebäcksskolan and the German adapted elementary school Schule am Meer in Cuxhaven. Participants included teachers, teaching assistants, a special education teacher, and an assistant principal. The goal was to learn from each other and reflect on how the schools' teaching and care can be developed.
On site, the school staff shadowed teaching and shared experiences with German colleagues about pedagogy, approach, and learning environments. Assistant principal Malin Forss said, 'We got to job-shadow in different classes and at the end of each day we gathered and talked about what we had seen. ' The German school shared how they work with student groupings.
We got to job-shadow in different classes and at the end of each day we gathered and talked about what we had seen. We also presented a development area each to each other.
The visit ended with an exhibition where the German school's staff showed their pedagogical materials. Forss noted, 'The German school had, among other things, set up a room with a learning environment and materials that benefit students with autism, which was inspiring for us to take part in. ' The days in Cuxhaven gave the staff a deeper understanding of their mission and a clearer picture of the competence they carry, according to Forss.
The trip strengthened pride and security in the work, contributing to more accurate analyses and development efforts at home. Olshammarskolan and Hinnebäcksskolan brought back several concrete ideas to test in their own operations. Staff from the German school have booked a trip to Gothenburg for a return visit.
The German school had, among other things, set up a room with a learning environment and materials that benefit students with autism, which was inspiring for us to take part in. Other concrete things we want to test are to create a dark sensory room.
' The specific outcomes or improvements from the exchange so far have not been detailed.