The Bertelsmann Foundation Partnership



“International understanding becomes possible when individuals meet face to face in conversation and exchange ideas. To become acquainted and form friendships leads to opportunities for service.” J. Robert Chambers, Jr.

The idea to establish a German-American teacher exchange originated when J. Robert Chambers, Jr., headmaster of Athens Academy, visited Reinhart Mohn, founder of the Bertelsmann Foundation in Gutersloh, Germany, in 1985. From this visit, GATE – the German American Teacher Exchange - was created "to foster good understanding between German and American teachers and to promote mutual professional growth."

As part of the GATE program, groups of 15 teachers would be selected to participate in a four-week stay with a partner school. During that time they would interact with their own group, host families, other teachers, and students in a variety of settings. In June 1987, 15 teachers from seven counties surrounding Athens traveled to Guetersloh, Germany, to the Evangelisch Stiftisches Gymnasium (ESG); in March 1988, 15 teachers from schools surrounding Gutersloh came to Athens.

Since 1987 more than 50 Athens Academy faculty members have visited and studied with faculty at ESG and have hosted ESG faculty here. GATE programs have also been established between other German and American schools.

In 1989 Athens Academy continued the partnership with the Bertelsmann Foundation with the creation of the "Media Education Across the Curriculum" project. This partnership ultimately built a 35,000-square foot comprehensive library/media center for the Upper and Middle Schools at Athens Academy.

Created so that students can "read, use, and create media in a responsible, critical, and reflective manner" the building includes state-of-the–art television and radio studios, a desktop publishing lab, computer center, language center, multi-media presentation hall, and a media analysis center. The Bertelsmann Foundation was involved with all aspects of the building program and worked with teachers to integrate technology into all aspects of the curriculum.


Last updated 10/25/2011 11:42 AM