Venerable Vocational Instructor Hermann Wünsche, Hailing from Saxony's Leopoldstadt
This prolific educator rises at half past four each day to reach the Anerkannte Schulgesellschaft Sachsen (ASG) classrooms before the clock strikes seven. Within these walls, aspiring professionals can hone their skills as locksmiths, metalworkers, culinary artisans, or electrical engineers.
Once a Retiree, Now an Ageless Maestro
"I serve as an apprentice trainer for electrotechnical systems, and frankly, I adore every moment of it," Wünsche muses. "I suspect I may hold the title of the country's oldest educator. Research suggests there could be a more seasoned colleague in Gera, but he's a ripe 77 years young..."
It was 2005 that saw Wünsche's formal retirement, but it proved short-lived. "That year, I was asked if I'd entertain the idea of returning to the classroom. Germany is grappling with a scarcity of new teachers, and my dear spouse added her endorsement – convinced stay-at-home life was not my cup of tea..."
Unfulfilled Dreams, Fortuitous Turns
Unlike his lifelong ambition of becoming a master lathe operator, Hermann Wünsche found his true calling in education. Following the footsteps of one of his friends who embarked on an electrician apprenticeship at the former Thälmann power plant in Leipzig-Connewitz, Wünsche too joined the ranks in 1963.
As fate would have it, Wünsche pursued an engineering education degree, devoting his life to imparting wisdom to successive generations of young minds – not to mention his fortunate circumstance.
His students cannot praise him enough. Jasmin (a 20-year-old metal construction specialist trainee) elucidates, "I've never seen him lose his cool. He's remarkably even-tempered, and his explanations are always spot-on." Jason (a 21-year-old electrical engineering trainee) admires, "Wünsche's ability to articulate concepts makes every lecture an engaging adventure."
Wünsche's educational philosophy is interwoven with the nurturing of young minds, alleviating their fears to create an atmosphere fertile for candidly collaborating with their mentor.
Asserting his mild-mannered demeanor, he insists, "I'm a firm believer in the power of repetition to ensure comprehension and instill confidence in the learners."
Dismissing the notion of strictness, he hilariously reminisces, "As a child, I too was full of life, and my German teacher often accused me of being destined for a career in education to teach me a valuable lesson..."
Wünsche never forgets his own youthful exuberance: "Brooding over the morning alarm as an apprentice was never my forte either."
Glimpse into the Future:
Wünsche reveals he plans to retire gradually, primarily to accommodate his wife's aspirations and the company of his two grandchildren. His presence will undoubtedly leave a void in the ASG halls, as colleague Lothar Schimmel (a 57-year-old mentor) sums it up, "Wünsche's innate ability to connect with young students and secure their respect is truly unmatched."
