NRW talent scouting: nine schools receive plaque
Nine out of 19 schools from Siegen-Wittgenstein and Olpe that cooperate with the talent scouting team at the University of Siegen have now been awarded the official "School in NRW Talent Scouting" plaque by the Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW) NRW. The award ceremony took place at the University of Siegen's Student Service Center. At the opening ceremony, Kathrin Steinmetz and Tim Bernshausen, both talent scouts at the University of Siegen, gave insights into their work and presented the successes of the program, which has been in operation in the region since February 2024.
NRW Talent Scouting supports high-achieving pupils whose educational pathways are hampered by social or structural obstacles. The aim is to help young people develop their skills in the best possible way and to provide them with individual, continuous and cross-system support on their path to university and a career, regardless of their background. And: the support helps to break up predetermined educational biographies.
The award ceremony focused on the committed teachers: they are already implementing the NRW Talent Scouting program in their schools in an exemplary manner and are thus making a significant contribution to the individual support of talented pupils. The following schools were honored:
- Auf dem Schießberg comprehensive school
- AHS vocational college
- Olpe and Siegen further education colleges
- Neunkirchen grammar school
- Bertha-von-Suttner comprehensive school
- Comprehensive school Eiserfeld
- Maria Königin grammar school in Lennestadt
- Wenden comprehensive school
Currently, 237 young people are being supported as talents at 19 schools. Dr. Barbara Müller-Naendrup, Prorector for Teacher Training, Further Education and Sustainability at the University of Siegen, praised the special support approach of NRW Talent Scouting in her welcoming address: "I see the special feature of the program in the definition of a talent: the focus here is not on classic giftedness, but on possible potential that the students bring with them despite difficult conditions. In my view, this is a success story with a lasting impact for everyone involved."
The awarding of the plaques was accompanied by a workshop for student teachers on the "LehramtPlus" certificate program. During the event, the prospective teachers were able to familiarize themselves with the aims and methods of talent scouting. Following the award ceremony, guests and participants had the opportunity to talk and exchange experiences and perspectives.
