When Mike FitzGerald took up his post as Principal of Four Forest Zug in mid-August, he described his role simply: to serve the needs of the community. A month into the job, that commitment is already clear in the way he has immersed himself in school life — listening, observing, and engaging with students, parents, and staff alike. Here, he reflects on his career journey, his first impressions of Four Forest, and the priorities he sees for the months ahead.

From Sports Journalism to a Life in Education

Education runs in Mike’s family—both his parents are teachers—but his own path began by chance. While working as a sports journalist for Eurosport, he was asked to help out temporarily as a Spanish teaching assistant at his mother’s school. “Within months, I realised how much I loved teaching,” he recalls. “I signed up for a teacher training course, and since then I haven’t looked back.”

Why Four Forest?

When asked why Four Forest Zug stood out to him, Mike points immediately to the bilingual programme. “Languages have opened so many doors for me in life. A bilingual education not only provides children with future advantages, it also develops their brains in unique ways. Cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and empathy all grow through learning multiple languages from an early age.”

But it wasn’t only the curriculum. “I’d heard great things from friends and colleagues. Once I met the team here, I understood why. It’s a special place to be.”

First Impressions: High Standards and Strong Connections

Now, with several weeks of first-hand experience, Mike has been struck by the atmosphere in the classrooms. “What’s abundantly clear is the positive dynamic between students and teachers. Classes are small enough that every student gets real attention, and teachers use a wide range of strategies—including personalised technology tools—to make learning engaging and effective.”

Having taught in the UK with 30 students per class, and even in Madagascar with 84, he values the scale at Four Forest. “With 10–16 children in a class, teachers can truly know their students and support them individually.”

A Servant Leader’s Vision

Mike is clear about his leadership philosophy: “I see the role of Principal as that of a servant. My job is to serve the community—students, parents, teachers, and staff—so that together we give our children the skills and knowledge to succeed in their futures.”

At the Parents Information Evening in August, he set out specific goals for the year ahead:

  • Deliver an inclusive programme
  • Inspire a love of learning in children
  • Offer a wide range of high-quality after-school clubs in German and English
  • Encourage students to live out our school values of curiosity, integrity, and community
  • Foster outstanding teaching and learning so that every child can reach their potential

His focus, he explains, is ensuring Four Forest “doesn’t rest on its laurels, but continually strives to improve.”

Shaping the Student Experience

For Mike, the student experience begins with how children feel when they walk through the door. “It’s so important that students feel happy and safe at school. That climate makes all the difference.” He believes that when mistakes are made, restorative approaches help children reflect, learn, and grow. “Our aim is to encourage students to become kind, compassionate, and principled citizens—not just rule-followers worried about consequences.”

Defining Great Teaching and Learning

Mike distinguishes carefully between teaching and learning: “All great teaching leads to two things—students enjoy their learning, and all students make very good progress. Great teaching can look different depending on the class, but it always requires adaptability. No two students or groups are the same, so teachers must adjust constantly to meet their needs.”

Building Connections with Students and Families

Mike has already learned the names of every student in the school—a deliberate step to build relationships quickly. “It’s given me another reason to be in classrooms, to see what’s going on and where I can support teachers,” he says.

Outside lessons, he has enjoyed informal moments with students in the lunch hall and meeting parents at events such as the barbecue at Robi Spielplatz in Baar. “I cycled home from that evening feeling genuinely grateful to be part of this community.”

He also highlights the role parents play in shaping school life. The Parents Club, led by Catharina Mica-Keller and Daniel Kolliver, has been working to build structures for activities that strengthen the community. A recent example was the student visit to the Speck bakery in August, where children were given a tour by Peter Speck himself. “Their energy and involvement enrich our school life in ways that go far beyond the classroom,” Mike reflects.

Passion for Sports and Community Spirit

Sports remain close to Mike’s heart. He has coached both football and tennis in every school he has worked at, and plans to continue at Four Forest. “Team sports teach children invaluable skills—motivation, social awareness, diplomacy, and putting the team above oneself. I’m already looking at Cantonal championships as an opportunity for us to grow.”

Thriving in an International Environment

Mike highlights the vibrant mix of cultures and nationalities among the students. “It makes for a truly exciting environment. It’s healthy for students to see and appreciate that people from different cultures and nationalities have many similarities, but also do some things differently.” Beyond that, he enjoys the small, spontaneous exchanges: “I love it when students teach me a few words in languages I don’t speak. So far, I’ve picked up some Russian and Italian this year.”

Looking Ahead: Technology, Teaching, and Growth

While bilingualism and sport are passions, Mike also stresses the importance of preparing children for a changing world. “Technology is reshaping how we live and work. Pretending it isn’t there helps no one—least of all our students. But we must ensure it enhances rather than replaces deep thinking and learning.” He credits the work of Four Forest’s Tech Lead, Amelia Morris, in guiding teachers on best practice.

Professional development for staff is another focus. Using the Cognita Teacher Framework, Mike is planning opportunities for teachers to observe each other more often. “Some of the most powerful professional conversations stem from seeing colleagues in action,” he explains.

Beyond the Classroom

Outside school, Mike spends most of his time with his wife and their two daughters, aged six and four. Together they ski, swim, and cycle, while Mike also plays football twice a week. His students might be surprised to learn he once worked as a weatherman for a German TV channel.

Asked how he hopes students would describe him, he laughs before answering: “Kind, fair, fun, involved. That’s four, but I wouldn’t want to leave any of them out.”

“A Special Place to Be”

Reflecting on his first month at Four Forest Zug, Mike’s strongest impression is of the dedication of the entire team. “Every member of staff—teachers, caretakers, bus drivers, receptionists, interns—cares deeply about the wellbeing of our students. That’s what makes this school very special.”

Building on this foundation, his focus now turns to the future. In the coming months Mike plans to monitor progress against the five goals he set in August, spend more time in classrooms alongside teachers, strengthen professional development through peer observation, and look at ways to expand opportunities for students — from bilingual learning to after-school clubs and those enticing Cantonal sports championships.

As he puts it, the aim is simple: to keep Four Forest moving forward so that every child feels at home here, grows in confidence, and is well prepared for whichever pathway they choose next.