A Study on the Consciousness and Conservatism of Modern and Contemporary German Gymnasium Teachers

The Gymnasium represents the tradition of German education and remains the backbone of the education system today. The teachers who work at and support these schools also have a unique sense of elitism. This consciousness is expressed in their emphasis on distinguishing themselves from other types of schools and teachers, as well as their preoccupation with maintaining the existing education system. Various studies have highlighted Gymnasium teachers’ conservatism, focusing on aspects such as school systems, teaching methods, and teacher training. However, few studies have comprehensively analyzed this group. This study aims to examine the formation and development of the consciousness of German Gymnasium teachers from a historical perspective and clarify how it functioned socially by condensing its unique conservatism. We examine the status, position, and consciousness of teachers as they developed in the 19th century and analyze how the collective conservatism that emerged from it was revealed during the great social upheaval of the 20th century. Particularly, it addresses the influence of conservatism on education reforms attempted during the Weimar period in the 1920s, the Allied occupation period in the late 1940s, and the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s.