Australia’s Best Teachers: A ‘gute’ day at work for German teacher Mitch Neeb

German teacher Mitch Neeb is bringing learning to life through language and culture.

For Adelaide teacher Mitch Neeb, sharing his family history with his students has been a rich and ultimately rewarding experience.

It all began when his grandparents on both sides arrived in Adelaide from Germany and Austria in the 1950s, to upskill the workforce in various trades.

Learning German as teenager, Mr Neeb quickly understood the language was a huge part of his family’s history and his identity and decided he wanted to share the language with others by becoming a teacher.

“Language learning is unlike any other subject at school – it’s about culture, identity, communication and how people around the world live their everyday lives,” he says.

“As a learning area, it develops empathy for other cultures and perspectives, while also enhancing fundamental literacy and communication skills in both English and the target language. I love that I get to show students where learning a language can take them and inspire them to take risks with their learning.”

Aldinga Payinthi College German teacher Mitch Neeb with his German class. Picture: Russell Millard

Nominated as part of News Corp’s Australia’s Best Teachers campaign, Mr Neeb teaches German and Tourism at Aldinga Payinthi College and is particularly proud of establishing the German program at the school.

“We opened in 2022 with German from Reception to Year 8, and now in 2025 we are seeing the first group of senior school students who have elected to continue with the language into SACE,” he explains.

“Every year, we have our Payinthifest event which is a celebration of language and culture. We have had everything from food tasting, a mini soccer league to traditional German Schuhplattler dancing.”

Honoured to receive the nomination, Mr Neeb says his success wouldn’t be possible without the school’s leaders whose support underpins the language learning and benefits it can bring young people.

Mitch Neeb (back left) celebrating Payinthifest with others. Picture: Supplied

“I think it is great that languages as a learning area is being put in the spotlight here,” he says. “Many language teachers share similar stories to me and it’s their passion and authenticity that make learning a language fun and impactful for students.

“In Australia, we live in such a rich multicultural and multilingual society; however, sadly,

learning a language doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves. I believe learning a language at school helps to develop a more understanding and cohesive society.

“Regardless of the language or background, I hope my journey of discovering my identity and family heritage inspires students to do the same,” he adds.

Follow our Australia’s Best Teachers advocacy series, in partnership with Officeworks, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Education Perfect and BigAss Fans, via this link.

Originally published as Australia’s Best Teachers: A ‘gute’ day at work for German teacher Mitch Neeb