Future-relevant competences in the classroom

03/03/2026

The "Teachers as Changemakers" project began work at the start of 2022. At the end of the regular funding period, the participants have now presented their results. However, the work is not over yet.

The TaC toolbox teaches the basics of social entrepreneurship and shows practical methods for implementation in the classroom. (Image: Korinna Thiem)

"Schools should see themselves as places of social responsibility. And student teachers should design schools in such a way that pupils learn to meet social challenges in a creative, responsible and solution-orientated way." With these words, Professor Matthias Bode described the tasks of the "Teachers as Changemakers" project.

The joint project between the Universities of Würzburg and Bamberg began work in March 2022. The focus is on social entrepreneurship education (SEE) as an innovative approach to teacher training. "With courses, workshops and special offers, the TaC project gives student teachers access to social entrepreneurial methods in the classroom," said Bode, describing the aim of the project - a goal that is particularly close to his heart in his role as Vice President for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Würzburg.

Successes of the TaC project

Now, towards the end of the regular funding period, those involved in the project have taken stock in the form of a symposium at the Centre for Teacher Education (ZLB) at the University of Bamberg. They were able to look back on a whole series of activities, awards and successes. A few examples:

The lecture series "Teaching for Impact" and the seminar "Leadership + X" ran at the University of Würzburg. This seminar is an educational programme offered by the Karl Schlecht Foundation to promote good and value-oriented leadership and is implemented independently by universities and colleges on site. In 2025, the focus was on the topic of "Humour". The seminar participants from the University of Würzburg won the audience award at the Karl Schlecht Foundation's F+X Award in autumn 2025 for their humorous look at different types of teachers in the form of a short film. "This is an impressive demonstration of the creative potential that new teaching formats can unleash," said Matthias Bode, emphasising the achievements of the student teachers.

Two school competitions established in Lower Franconia are further innovative building blocks. The new TaC Award, for example, recognises commitment to the common good in P-seminars at grammar schools. And a separate category for social entrepreneurial commitment has been created in the existing secondary school award. Both competitions are organised in close cooperation with the relevant offices of the ministerial representatives, which also demonstrates the ability of the approach to connect with school practice.

The TaC project received nationwide recognition when it was awarded the "Hochschulperle des Jahres 2024" (University Pearl of the Year 2024) by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft. This award recognises outstanding and innovative projects at universities. The award emphasises the model and innovative nature of the project.

The open access anthology "Lehrkräftebildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung" (Teacher Education for Sustainable Development) published by wbv Media marks another important success of the "Teachers as Changemakers (TaC)" project and also makes a key contribution to the transfer of innovative approaches to teacher education. Detailed information can be found here.

In principle, all materials developed as part of the project are now available to teachers of all school types in the form of the so-called Tac-Toolbox. If they are interested, they can get in touch with the project coordinator Dr Korinna Thiem. "With the TaC toolbox, I want to promote the transfer into school practice. We also offer in-house training courses on how to use the TaC toolbox in the classroom," adds Thiem.

What happens next with the TaC project

Even though there has already been a closing event, the "Teachers as Changemakers" project is not really over yet. An extended term offers the opportunity to further expand the transfer. In April 2026, for example, the TaC Award for community-oriented P-seminars for secondary schools in Lower Franconia will be announced again.

The project seminar "Leadership + X" will also be continued in the summer semester 2026. This time, the focus will be on the topic of "Showing attitude at school. A filmic examination". Participants will look at attitudes, stances and the emotional stability of teachers and, accompanied by a professional film expert, will create a short film on the topic of "Leadership and Attitude". In addition, the lecture series "Teaching for Impact" will be offered for the fourth time in the winter semester 2026/27.

For Matthias Bode, the success of the project is clear: "Student teachers and teaching staff are thus empowered to promote future-relevant skills in their own lessons."

Further information on the "Teachers as Changemakers" project