Lecturers

Armin Baumgartner

12 years of activity in teacher training for the project “Bewegte Klasse” (moving class) of the health care initiative “Tut gut!” Gesundheitsvorsorge GmbH. In this setting, the focus lies on a feeling of togetherness, self-awareness of the teacher and the creation of a bond between the teacher and the children. The experiences gained from this training increase the quality of the relationship between students and teachers.

Since 2019: head of the programme “Gesunde Schule” (healthy school) of the health care initiative “Tut gut!” Gesundheitsvorsorge GmbH in Lower Austria. This programme focuses on promoting the health of everyone involved in school life.  

20 years of activity as a freelance outdoor pedagogue and adult trainer in various projects, as well as youth coach for various sports. He has been teaching at the Psychomotricity university continuing education and training programme since 2006.

Thomas Birnbaumer

Sport scientist and trainer. Has been coaching individuals and groups in the fields of movement, nutrition and psyche (psychosocial competence) for more than ten years. Focus: Health sport, body perception, motivation and volition.

Works with children, teenagers and adults in the fields of psychomotricity and neuro athletic training. Systemic practice-oriented work with educators. Consulting of companies in the field of comprehensive workplace health promotion.

Wilhelm Gansch

Teaching activity: University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (Max Reinhardt Seminar), lectureships at the University of Vienna (psychomotricity, physical theater), own practice, courses in Austria and abroad.

Education: university education in Vienna (theology, philosophy, psychology, sport), pantomime with Joana Thul and Samy Molcho, breathing and acting work with Adelheid Pillmann, Feldenkrais pedagogue, kinesiology with Frank Mahony.

Overall purpose of my work

I want to facilitate the experience that the human being is not divided into partial functions (breathing, voice, movement, expression, play, etc.), but that each “part” reflects the unified physical-mental overall state. Therefore, any practical work must always keep the whole person in mind.

Marie-Luise Hünerbein

Qualification: diploma in curative education

Work areas: Research associate at the Heilpädagogische Ambulanz (short: HPA; institute for diagnostics and support for children, youths and adults with special needs) of the Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Bochum for more than ten years, after many years of practical work in the fields of early intervention, education and counselling. Main concern of the HPA: Linking theory and practice within the framework of teaching, research and care.

Work priorities: methods of curative education, developmental support according to Doering and Doering, video-assisted counselling according to Marte Meo, curative education diagnostics as well as therapeutic sand play according to Dora Kalff.

Alexander Jordan

Education: teacher for sports and mathematics

Fields of activity: head of the central department for school sports and promotion of physical activity of the State of Hessen, lecturer for movement and balance programmes according to Dorothea Beigel®, host, author of textbooks, consultant for senso-motor development support and health education from childhood to late adulthood in the entire German-speaking area

Focus: development of schools and teaching with movement, neurosensory and motor observation and support, pedagogical programmes for day-care centres, schools and associations

Anna Kapfer-Weixlbaumer

Kindergarten and special kindergarten pedagogue; study of psychomotricity / motology, observation and participation in day-care centres and schools in Israel, USA, New Zealand and Australia; since 1993 training advisor in elementary and primary schools; team support in quality development processes; teaching activity in the Psychomotricity university continuing education and training programme in Vienna and at the private college of education in Linz; specialist editor at UNSERE KINDER (Austrian specialist journal for elementary education).

Peter Keßel

Graduate motologist, 20 years of psychomotor practice in pediatric therapy, in psychomotor rehabilitation sport for children, at the psychomotor support center in Osnabrück and with adults with severe multiple disabilities. Currently consultant for transfer and networking of the Lower Saxony Institute for Early Childhood Education and Development (Niedersächsisches Institut für frühkindliche Bildung und Entwicklung e.V., nifbe) and 2nd chairman of the Deutsche Akademie – Aktionskreis Psychomotorik Deutschland (dakp). Teaching activities in the field of psychomotricity, movement and play at various technical colleges and universities.

Barbara Kolb

Sports scientist, long-time adult and elderly educator for educational institutions, associations and companies, speaker and specialist author on the topics of "psychomotricity", "playful movement in old age" and "prevention of sexual violence in sport".

Focus of work

Psychomotricity in old age and with adults, mobility of elderly people in public spaces, fall prophylaxis, child safeguarding and prevention of sexualised violence in sports, communication and group processes, moving brain and memory training, active teaching and learning.

Fiona Martzy

Graduate motologist, 20 years of psychomotor practice in kindergartens, schools, and at the psychomotor support center in Osnabrück. She has worked for five years as a research assistant at the study programme Motology at the University of Marburg. Doctoral thesis on the topic of evaluation in a motological context. Currently employed as a transfer scientist at the Lower Saxony Institute for Early Childhood Education and Development (Niedersächsisches Institut für frühkindliche Bildung und Entwicklung e.V., nifbe) and board member of the Deutsche Akademie – Aktionskreis Psychomotorik Deutschland (dakp). Teaching activity in the fields of psychomotricity, movement and play at various institutes and universities.

Michael Methlagl

Lecturer at the Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, at the Psychomotricity university continuing education and training programme, at Certificate courses of the University Sport Institute and at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (Faculty Sport). Project assistant in the Sparkling Science Project Psychomotricity in School. Development, implementation and evaluation of the psychomotor teaching and learning method in primary school and in new secondary school.

Focus of work

Academic writing, psychomotricity, empirical social research

Ulrich Pammer

Qualification

Sociologist, outdoor pedagogue, psychomotrician, instructor of sport climbing, member of the ÖAGG (Austrian Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Dynamics).

Focus of work

Psychomotricity in school, also in the framework of the “Bewegte Klasse” (moving class) in Lower Austria as well as scientific director at the “Bewegte Klasse”. Freelance trainer and lecturer at the University College of Teacher Education and the University of Vienna.

Christina Reichenbach

Qualification

Pedagogue Dipl. (focus on Psychomotricity)

Field of Activity

Psychomotrician at "Bewegungsambulatorium“ (Institute for support of perception and movement for children and adolescents) for 7 years; teacher at School for Psychomotricity in Dortmund (Focus on diagnostics and special needs education) for 11 years; lecturer at Leibniz University Hannover (Focus on Psychomotricity and diagnostics) for 7 years; professor at Ev. Hochschule RheinlandWestfalen-Lippe/Protestant University of Applied Science (EvH) since 2009; head of “Heilpädagogische Ambulanz“ EvH (Institute for diagnostics and support for children, youths and adults with special needs where current students of the EvH are able to work).

Current focus

Diagnostics in theory and practice; psychomotricity; mentoring students at the “Heilpädagogische Ambulanz“.

Ruth Schenke

Qualification

Teacher training for high school (physical education, geography); psychomotrician; postgraduate integrative children and adolescent psychotherapy (FPI/EAG); Master of Science Integrative Therapy (Danube University Krems); supervisor (DGSv).

Field of Activity

Psychomotricity therapist in child and youth psychiatry; teaching activity in the training of psychomotricians at vocational school; visiting lecturer at Ev. Hochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe/Protestant University of Applied Science; long-standing psychotherapy and consultation at independent practices, especially in cooperation with youth welfare offices and institutions of stationary youth welfare.

Current focus

Depth psychology oriented psychotherapy with children/ adolescents in context of out-of-home-accommodation (attachment disorder/ post traumatic disorder); consultation for the social environment; supervision for psychosocial workplaces.

Sonja Schiebl

Qualification

Teacher trainings for special education and primary schools; MSc in Media Pedagogy (University for Continuing Education Krems); MA in Educational Science with a focus on Special Needs and Inclusive Education (University of Vienna)

Field of Activity

2000-2018: teaching of integration classes at schools in Austria and Spain, individual support of children with special needs; since 2017: lecturer at the University College of Teacher Education Vienna

Focus of work

Inclusive education, multisensory integration, sensory and motor skills as a basis for development and learning processes

Marina Thuma

Qualification

Teacher trainings for primary schools and special schools, MBA in health and social management (body&health academy), MA in Psychomotricity (University of Vienna)

Field of activity

2000 – 2018: teaching at schools in Austria as a class leader, in integration classes and in the individual support of children with special needs; since 1997: employee and lecturer at the University of Teacher Education Vienna; since 1999: foundation, coordination and development of the project “Bewegtes Lernen – Gesundheitsförderung” (learning through movement – health promotion)

Focus of work 

Diagnostics and promotion of motor skills as a basis for development and learning processes; teacher training: creation of curricula for (university) continuing education programs

Ralph Wakolbinger

Pedagogue, psychotherapist (behavioural therapy) in his own practice in Vienna

For almost 10 years, he has been part of the programme “Bewegte Klasse” (moving class) as supervisor and programme manager of the health care initiative “Tut gut!” Gesundheitsvorsorge GmbH in Lower Austria.

Otmar Weiß

Professor at the Centre for Sport Science and University Sports at the University of Vienna and director of the Psychomotricity university continuing education programme. Editor of the book series “International Studies in Sport and Society” and the journal “motorik”.

Research focus

Significance of sport in society, sport in connection to health, identity, economy and (mass) communication. Development of the psychomotor teaching and learning method.

Renate Zimmer

Educational scientist with a focus on early childhood. Professor for Sport and Movement Sciences at the University of Osnabrück, Germany. Dean of the School of Sport Science (2002 – 2016). Director at the "Niedersächsisches Institut für frühkindliche Bildung und Entwicklung“ (Lower Saxony Institute for Early Childhood Education and Development) from 2007 – 2018. She is nationally and internationally known for her numerous lectures and publications. She published more than 50 books and 200 articles for journals and edited volumes. Main topics are “Psychomotricity”, "Early Childhood Education“, "Language and Movement“, "Physical activity and cognitive, emotional and social competences“ etc. Her publications have been translated into many languages (Finnish, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Russian etc.).

In 2007 she was awarded the “National Medal of Honor of Germany” by the President of the country for her contribution to children. In 2009 she was voted “Teacher of the Year” in Germany, and in 2010 she was awarded the E.J. Kiphard medal for her contribution to Psychomotricity.