Best Teacher Awards go to Professor Günter Lang and Dr. Peter Schubert
The votes are in and Associate Professor for Applied Economics Günter Lang and Dr. Peter Schubert of German think-tank ZiviZ (Stifterverband) have been chosen as KLU’s best internal and external teacher, respectively, by the university’s students. As testament to the sustained popularity and excellence of their teaching, it is the second time both men have taken home the Best Teacher Award.
What does receiving the award mean to you?
Günter Lang: It is an honor to receive the best teaching award, and it means a lot for me. I will take it as an encouragement to continue with energy and passion, and to not take the easy way of avoiding difficult topics or lowering exam standards.
Peter Schubert: The award is a nice recognition for the effort put into the class. In research, it is much more difficult to see a direct impact of your work, so a student vote on the value of your class for their personal and professional development becomes all the more meaningful.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
Günter Lang: To know that former students are highly successful in important positions or as entrepreneurs after they leave the university. I am proud to be among the ones who contributed to this success, which is not only a success for our former students, but for the whole economy and society.
Peter Schubert: The challenge in my nonprofit management class is to gain students’ interest and passion for a topic fairly new to them in light of other KLU classes. I find it rewarding when every single student actively participates in class, and when I get the feeling I have broadened their horizon on the diversity of organizations in society and potential future employment opportunities for them. I also appreciate the small student groups at KLU that allow for building a personal connection with everyone in class.
What has inspired the way you teach?
Günter Lang: Those professors I got to learn during my time as a student who were really interested in teaching. Those professors, who wanted us to understand even difficult content. Those professors, who were well prepared for the lectures.
Peter Schubert: I always enjoyed classes during my own studies in which the lecturers created a non-formal, interactive and at times fun classroom environment. Social dynamics within a classroom is a dimension of learning that is in my view often underestimated or undervalued in university teaching. I also enjoyed classes in which lecturers made the effort and were able to bridge conceptual, theoretical knowledge transfer by letting students work on hands-on case studies that show the relevance of theory for what might await you after your studies.
What advice would you give to people who are starting out as teachers?
Günter Lang: I think it is a good idea to put ourselves into the shoes of the students. For instance, a teacher could ask themself: What will be the most difficult topics for the students? These topics may be opened with “I know that the following is not easy – I had problems by myself. But we will go through this subject step-by-step, and, together we will be successful!”. Also, linking theory to reality and a bit of humor will not only help to keep students interested, but create a positive atmosphere in the lecture hall.
Peter Schubert: Do not solely focus on getting through your lecture slides. Pay attention to classroom dynamics, first create an atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable to ask questions or give their input. Try to convey your passion for the topic and adjust your teaching methods to what works for the group. Finally, feel free to say, “I don’t know”, if you don’t.
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