In Germany, teachers are mainly civil servants recruited in special university classes, called Lehramtstudien (Teaching Education Studies). There are many differences between the teachers for elementary schools (Grundschule), lower secondary schools (Hauptschule), middle level secondary schools (Realschule) and higher level secondary schools (Gymnasium). Salaries for teachers depend on the civil servants' salary index scale (Bundesbesoldungsordnung).
What are teachers considered to be in Germany? Where are teachers recruited from? What is the name of Elementary Schools? What is used to decide a teacher's salary? What are upper-level secondary schools called?