Fuelling a spirit of inquiry
© Sarah Ley, www.leyfotografie.com
Fuelling a spirit of inquiry
As an educator, counsellor and member of the Meilen school council, Tonia Weibel has a wealth of experience in fostering people and their talents. And now, as a donor to the Centre for Students and Entrepreneurs, her commitment extends to ETH too.
For many years, you were a teacher and school director. How has this shaped your attitude to talent development?
My basic belief is that talent shouldn’t be limited to cognitive abilities. Someone can be talented in mathematics, but also in the arts or in interpersonal relations. This broad understanding of talent is sometimes overlooked in the school context. During my studies in the USA, I learned about Howard Gardner’s concept of “multiple intelligences,” which later led to fascinating projects in my work at schools. I believe it’s crucial to focus on what children are capable of and to support and strengthen their abilities. A child who struggles with maths might excel in sports. It takes people who recognise this and encourage the child to develop their strengths.
We read a lot about the school system being at its limit – and there are plenty of ideas about what should be done. Where do you stand in this debate?
I’d have a lot to say about that (laughs). The state school system is under severe strain, partly because we immediately seek specialist expertise for every problem. The trust that, with a basic humanistic approach, teachers can solve a wide range of issues and provide students with effective support has somewhat disappeared. We need to simplify things again: a few people should be able to share the responsibility for a group of children together and manage the diversity of their needs.
“It takes people who recognise different strengths and offer support and encouragement to talented young minds.”
Your father, Ulrich Bremi, who passed away in 2021, was an entrepreneur, FDP politician, chairman of numerous company boards, and National Council President. He’d once studied mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich and served as President of the ETH Foundation from 2005 to 2008. What did this position mean to him?
It was no surprise to me that my father dedicated himself to ETH. He’d started out with an apprenticeship as a mechanic, which is why he’d often say, “I’m actually a mechanic at heart.” Further education courses took him to ETH, which he considered a tremendous opportunity. Studying here and performing this role at the foundation filled him with great pride and gratitude.
Your family’s connection with ETH continued – and remains to this day.
Yes, I studied architecture here for two semesters, but then realised it wasn’t for me. The lectures I found most compelling were on sociology. So, after a year at ETH, I decided to pursue my long-held career dream and became a primary school teacher. One of my two daughters is now studying architecture at ETH, after initially completing an apprenticeship as a draughter with a specialisation in architecture.
You’re also connected to ETH on a philanthropic basis: you’re a donor to the Centre for Students and Entrepreneurs. Can you tell us why?
This is a project that I’ve chosen to support on account of the professional experiences I mentioned – and also because it connects me with my deceased father. One of the initiatives to be accommodated in the Centre once it’s finished is the ETH Student Project House, a workshop and creative space for students. Having had the chance to visit the existing workshop last year, I spoke with some students and was absolutely thrilled. Such laboratory-like spaces are ideal for fuelling a spirit of inquiry in young minds. When I was a primary school teacher, this was the spirit that I aimed to kindle in my pupils. I’m convinced that such learning environments can enable and initiate much across all educational levels.
