Today, I was officially sworn in as a civil servant & high school teacher of the state of Berlin.

I solemnly took the following oath:

“I swear that I will exercise my office in faithful observance of the Basic Law and the Constitution of Berlin, in accordance with the law, for the good of the general public, and that I will conscientiously fulfill my official duties”

Starting next week, I’ll teach History 🏺, Ethics ⚖️, and Philosophy 📜 at a public academic high school in Berlin, while completing Germany’s postgraduate teacher training program (Referendariat). This combines full classroom teaching with mentoring, evaluation, and pedagogical coursework. Upon passing the Second State Examination next June, I will receive full certification to teach in Germany’s Public Schools. 👩‍🏫

After completing my Master's degree, I moved to the USA to learn how to include people with disabilities in the classroom. Over the past 2½ years, I worked in Camphill communities in New York, California, and Berlin 🌎.

Living and working alongside adults with disabilities taught me that education is relational 🤝 — built on trust 💛, patience 🕰️, and respect ✨. 

Studying Social Therapy at the Camphill Academy has given me a completely new perspective on education, one that takes a holistic view of the individual. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and the residents of these communities 🙏. They taught me far more than any university course.

I am humbled and excited to educate young people at a time when critical thinking 🧠, historical awareness 🏺, and ethical reflection ⚖️ matter more than ever.

Since August 2023, I’ve shared my experiences on my blog damonruhlaender.de 🌎, reflecting on life in Camphill and my time in the U.S. 

I will continue my blog in form of a Vlog where I’ll share my journey as a teacher, talk about everyday teacher life, give teaching tips, and answer your questions. ✏️📚.

💬 If there’s anything you’re curious about, let me know your questions and video ideas!