Teaching Staff

Christine Gehres

My name is Christine Gehres, and I have ”been part of” GSLW since 2003. I was glad to step in as principal when the need arose in 2016.I am a German native, and completed part of my university studies in Germany. I have also worked in Germany until I came to the US as an expatriate. I founded the Mommy & Me program with another mother in 2006. I have substitute taught most levels and have been the second grade teacher. More recently, I taught an adult beginner class.  I have had to learn the English language as a foreigner, and understand what GLSW students experience when learning German as a foreign language. I have also served on the GLSW board as Vice President before becoming involved as a teacher.

Irene Kafer

Vice Principal

Axel Maus

Vice Principal, Adult Classes 2/3

Amy Kaeuper

Pre-K

I began my third year teaching Pre-K German. I am passionate about introducing young learners to the joys of a new language and believes in creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children can develop a love for learning while building a strong foundation in German. I combine interactive activities, songs, games and stories to make language learning fun and accessible for preschoolers. I am committed to fostering a positive and supportive classroom atmosphere where every child feels confident and eager to participate. I am deeply committed to the growth and development of my students, believing that early exposure to a second language can significantly enhance cognitive abilities and cultural awareness.

Margarete Lorch-Denicola

Kindergarten classes

Anita Altinbas

Level 1/2

My name is Anita Altinbas and I was born and raised in Switzerland. I am so excited to be part of the GLSW family! My son attends school here since Kindergarten and loves being at GLSW. I began my journey at GLSW in 2017 as a teacher's aide and fell in love with our school community. In the beginning, I started as a teacher's aide in several different level classes, gained experience and became a teacher. I am currently teaching Level 1 & 2. I believe in a fostering playful learning and incorporate fun and creative activities in my teaching. I have a passion in creating a comfortable and safe learning environment so students can also build strong friendships with their classmates. I look forward to getting to know you and teach your children.

Gabriele Polacek

Substitute

My name is Gabriele Polacek and I have been teaching at GLSW since 2014. I am currently a substitute. I grew up in Düsseldorf, Germany, and moved to the US for business. After working for German business companies in NYC for many years, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education at Montclair State University. In the past I taught the older children beginners and Level 6 at the GLSW. I like to incorporate games that use the German language, German videos like “Das Deutschlandlabor” and traditional German stories into my teaching.

Petra Linnehan

Level 8

My name is Petra Linnehan and I have been teaching at GLSW since 2015 when I enrolled my children after moving to NJ from Austria. I was born and raised in Austria and have been teaching part time for most of my adult life in the USA and Austria. At GLSW I have taught Levels 3-8 and also an adult online class. I enjoy incorporating current and cultural events into my classes and like to expose my students to German TV shows, music and food.

Antje Ballin

Iintermediate and advanced adult classes

Since 2014 I have enjoyed teaching the intermediate and advanced adult level at GLSW. I grew up in Germany and completed my “Abitur” in Essen. When I moved to the United States, I completed my Bachelor’s in English and Master’s Degree at the University of Akron, Ohio. During the week I work as Operations Manager in a German/English speaking office, namely Terra Nova Asset Management LLC in New York City. My Saturday Zoom classes include lively discussions on current events, student presentations on various topics, German literature and of course, German Grammar. I also teach Business German recreating “real life situations.” I love helping my students and sharing the wonderful German language and its rich culture

Beate Buchmann

Level 4/6

Angelika Leissl

Adult Level 2/3

Angelika Leissl was born, raised and educated in Munich, Germany. She moved to Larchmont, NY in 1991 and began facilitating a German conversation group at the local Newcomer’s Club. In 1995 she began teaching German to adults and children at The Language Exchange, a private language school with locations in Greenwich, Rye and Chappaqua, NY. In addition to teaching at The Center for Continuing Education in Larchmont/Mamaroneck, NY, she also teaches German at Westchester Community College
Workforce Development and Continuing Education in Valhalla, NY.

"Throughout my life, I’ve had a great interest in languages. Besides English and French in high school, I have studied Italian and Spanish. Since I have experienced the challenges of acquiring a second language as an adult myself, I feel very passionate about making language learning fun and interesting. My students have lots of opportunities to practice their new skills in the classroom, and they enjoy learning about the culture and traditions as well as everyday life in German-speaking countries.

Djamila Guillen

Adult Beginners 2 and Level 3

My name is Djamila Guillen. I was born and raised in Switzerland and moved to the US in 2011. I started teaching German to Preschoolers at the German School NYC, where my son and daughter joined. In 2021 we moved from NYC to Hillsdale, and I started teaching at GLSW in January 2024. I have been teaching German to adults and children for about 5 years now.. Currently, I teach the first-grade class at GLSW. I love working with children and being part of their developmental growth through the fun process of learning a new language.

Anita Kostadinov

Mommy, Daddy, and Me Classes

I have been a valued teacher at our German school for nine years. I currently teach the "Mommy & Me" class, where I introduce children and their parents to the German language in a playful way. My main job is Chief Client Officer at a digital marketing agency, where I contribute my creativity and leadership skills. Previously, I successfully taught our adult classes and offered private German lessons. I grew up in Austria, where I discovered my passion for teaching early on and tutored students. With my many years of experience and my warm personality, I enrich our school community and foster a love for learning German.

Melissa Janelli

Teacher Assistant

My Name is Melissa Janelli and I was born and raised in a small village near Halle/Saale in Germany. I went to school in Leipzig to become an Educator. In 2019 I came to New York as an AuPair for 2 years. During my experience I met my now husband. We live in Rockland County, New York. Since January 2024, I work as an assistant teacher for the German Language School in Level 4 and Pre-K.

Sandra Losos

Teacher Assistant

My name is Sandra Losos and I am currently a Teacher Assistant. I just started working at GLSW in fall 2024 and I am very happy to be a part of the staff and help students to learn German and even bring the German culture closer to them. I was born, raised and educated in Germany. My parents are from Poland, so I grew up bilingual. In 2010 I moved to Emerson, NJ as an AuPair and stayed for 1.5 years with the same family. Afterwards I went to a school in NYC - once I graduated I had to return to Germany. I always wanted to come back and now I am back permanently since the beginning of 2024.

Rebekka Schleier

Adult Beginners 2

My name is Rebekka Schleier. I was born and raised near Hameln, Germany. As a result, I grew up with the stories of the famous "Pied Piper of Hamelin" and the significant "Glückel of Hameln." Rebekka completed her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, her Doctorate in Psychology, and her Master's in Mental Health Counseling in various states in the US. In NYC, she met her husband Amitai and started a family. It is important to Rebekka that her children learn German, and she is happy to be able to participate in the GLSW with her entire family.

Bruni Porobija

Teacher Assistant Level 1, Level 2

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