Teacher with style

Career changer: young class hero in a tailor-made suit

Learning German with humor and tricks: Philip Semelmayer explains what "Strizzis", "Hawaras" and "Häfenbrüder" are.(Bild: EVA MANHART)

He looks like a Wall Street banker and his pupils call him "Mr. Elegantus": Philip Semelmayer (30) was a business coach. Now he teaches children with an immigrant background with great success.

"Wow, he's well dressed! Do you know him? Who is he?" A girl looks wide-eyed at the gentleman in the smart suit. Another giggles and thinks he must be a lawyer, a real "Mr. Elegantus".

The young man in the tailor-made suit catches the eye on the very first day of school. In the corridors, the pupils marvel at the stranger and follow him with curious glances. "I'm happy about the funny name the children have given me," says Philip Semelmayer, who clearly feels at home in his role as "Mr. Elegantus".