Whether it's a change of career direction, a new start after a family phase or a desire for greater existential security: all of these can be reasons for entering the education sector. People with a degree in Computing Science or IT-related subjects and, in some cases, many years of professional experience in the IT sector often see the education sector as an interesting career alternative. This is particularly true for women. There are also many teachers of other subjects who are looking for new challenges and would therefore like to teach Computing Science as a third subject.
At the same time, there is a shortage of Computing Science teachers at more and more schools in Germany: not least because Computing Science is currently being strengthened or established as a compulsory subject at lower secondary level in many Federal States.
However, the possible routes for lateral entry, the necessary skills and qualifications that go with them, as well as exemptions, are often not known. They are also often not easy to find and, above all, differ from Federal State to Federal State. Many people also don't realise that they can teach Computing Science without a teaching degree. It is often only possible to enter the teaching profession with a teacher training qualification and the associated traineeship. However, many Federal States distinguish subjects with special requirements from other subjects and - often depending on the desired type of school - allow various exceptions for entry into the traineeship or for direct entry into the teaching profession and also for civil servants.
High demands continue to be placed on people who teach in schools. These are not only of a professional and pedagogical nature: minimum language, health and legal requirements must also be met and are checked upon recruitment, for example in the form of a check at the Public Health Department and a certificate of good conduct.
There is currently no nationwide overview where interested parties can find information and find their individual way through the various requirements and regulations. This study is therefore intended to show ways to support women in particular in making a lateral entry into the teaching profession. However, the information presented is valid for people of all genders. No Federal State makes exceptions here. However, women are of particular importance as IT teachers: as role models, they can do a lot to promote equal opportunities for girls and women with regard to IT in all areas of life.

The project is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation and is organised by the Gesellschaft für Computing Science e.V. (Society for Computing Science).

Project website: informatiklehrerin.de