INTERVIEW

with Annika Reuter

The former teacher talks to us about the challenges of leaving the school system, how it feels to be in free fall, and why she can no longer imagine working as a teacher again.

Otherwise, as a civil servant, you are only treated this way if you are dishonorably discharged from service, for example because you spent twelve months in prison.

Why was it so difficult to leave the teaching profession? From the outside, it's impossible to imagine how complicated the process is.

ANNIKA REUTER: And how complicated it is! It's getting easier now because important facts are finally being shared via social media, but when I wanted to leave in 2019, there was almost nothing – no accessible information on how to get out, what to expect after being stripped of my civil service position , and who I could contact with questions. I had absolutely no clue, and even today, the employment office is generally just as clueless as teachers' unions. On top of that, I didn't exactly encounter understanding from anyone around me.

What exactly do you give up when you have yourself deflowered?

ANNIKA REUTER: First of all, in North Rhine-Westphalia, you essentially waived your entire accrued pension entitlements. The old-age pension, which other federal states had already implemented, wasn't introduced until 2026. There, you're allowed to retain a portion of your accrued pension entitlements. However, after I left the civil service, my gross income was retroactively insured as if I were receiving a regular pension. This resulted in a significant financial loss for me. Otherwise, civil servants are only treated this way if they are dishonorably discharged from service, for example, after serving twelve months in prison.

Is there anything you miss about teaching?

ANNIKA REUTER: I always enjoyed working with people at school, I loved teaching, teamwork, and my classes. But the intensity and responsibility were too much, and I have to be completely honest: I don't miss anything at all. I'm not a sentimental person.

What are some things you're especially glad to be rid of?

ANNIKA REUTER: I had two subjects to grade, and my biggest dream in life was to never grade papers again. To this day, I enjoy the fact that my mind is finally clear and I can truly relax on weekends or even just individual days in between. I'm no longer tied to school holidays to travel, and I'm no longer bombarded with information and people every single day. That always stressed me out immensely, and I had numerous health problems as a result, which I've finally gotten rid of. The best thing of all is that I can finally sleep soundly again.

It sounds like you were really unwell…

ANNIKA REUTER: Yes, I was under constant medical care and had loyalty cards at various pharmacies. My mental and physical health was severely compromised, and after dropping out of school, I struggled for several months with extreme exhaustion. This manifested itself in phases for almost three years, and I have since invested a great deal of time and money in my recovery. Today, almost six years later, I would describe myself as healthy.

Read my books!
Make yourselves responsible!
Each person should have their own
Go away, but please with the
Essential knowledge!

What is your biggest criticism of the school system?

ANNIKA REUTER: That it keeps people in a state of dependency by withholding information that could hinder their self-determination. And this applies to students, who aren't taught what they need for a self-determined life, and to the teachers. The employer, meaning the respective federal state, has all these regulations for teachers, but nobody knows what they themselves are supposed to adhere to or what "state welfare" actually means. The employer treats its employees terribly. It's a thoroughly inhumane system with questionable values that punishes mistakes, forces people into rigid categories, processes them, prepares them to function, and drills them for performance. And this has direct consequences for teaching and the students.

You also give lectures to trainee teachers. What advice do you have for prospective teachers?

ANNIKA REUTER: Make your own decisions! Everyone should follow their own path, but please, with the necessary knowledge! I constantly see that many young people have an extremely romanticized view of the teaching profession. Dare to look at the less pleasant realities and then make your own decision based on that. Only those who know what they're getting into can help themselves if needed.

Looking back on your journey, what would you do differently?

ANNIKA REUTER: I wish I had been more in touch with my true talents and desires as a schoolgirl. Or I wish I had learned about alternatives to teaching during my studies, or about the psychological and physical implications of becoming a civil servant, and what support options are available. If I had understood earlier what motivated me to do certain things, or not do them, I certainly would have chosen a healthier and more fulfilling path. But of course, I would have missed out on many valuable lessons. Thanks to my education and teaching experience, I can now manage my time efficiently, read, write, and edit at a rapid pace, and am very knowledgeable about various healing methods.

Could you imagine returning to teaching?

ANNIKA REUTER: No, only in an absolute emergency, if I desperately needed money and had no alternatives. My body would shut down; it couldn't handle that kind of stress anymore.

Stop driving yourselves crazy over grades.
It's much more important to find out what makes you happy.

What do you wish for the future of schools?

ANNIKA REUTER: In my opinion, the German school system is no longer tenable. It needs to be fundamentally modernized. The entire administrative apparatus is highly toxic. I wish that schools would finally become humane and treat everyone who attends, works in, or is otherwise involved with them with kindness. That teachers would finally be empowered and encouraged, because they are far more powerful than they currently realize. We need more meaningful curriculum content, and schools should be run by people who know what they're doing. And politicians should finally stop talking so much nonsense and invest significant sums in education. Because schools are the foundation for our country's future.

What advice would you give to teachers who are actively working in schools?

ANNIKA REUTER: Read my books. And stop blindly respecting authority. Inform yourselves about your rights, privileges, and the gray areas, and take an honest look. Use your private insurance for targeted, timely treatment of burnout and uncover the beliefs and fears that keep you in a frenzy of functioning and prevent you from standing up for yourself and others. Fight back and make your voices heard. Together you can achieve a great deal.

Do you have any tips for parents and students?

ANNIKA REUTER: Please stop obsessing over grades. It's much more important to figure out what makes you happy. And finally find your voices and opportunities to participate. You don't have to go along with every piece of nonsense. School simply doesn't work the way it does anymore. Everyone needs to create something new together , and that's only possible if everyone finally treats each other honestly, lovingly, and empathetically. This applies to everyone involved in the school system.