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 Walter

Adult Intermediate II and III classes

Kirsten Fahrenbach

Mommy, Daddy, and Me classes

Amy Kaeuper

Pre-K

Margarete Lorch-Denicola

Kindergarten classes

Anita Altinbas

Level 1

My name is Anita Altinbas and I have taught at GLSW since 2017. I was born and raised in Switzerland and am currently an aide in Level 3.. In the past I helped teach Level 1. I believe in a fostering playful learning and incorporate fun and creative activities in my teaching. I believe in creating a comfortable and safe learning environment so students can also build strong friendships with their classmates.

Gamze Altintas

Level 2/7

My name is Gamze Altintas and I have been teaching at the GLSW since fall 2019. I was born in Germany and lived there until I was 9 years old. In 1997, I received my bachelor’s degree “German Language Teacher Education” at “Istanbul University in “ Istanbul, Turkey . I worked for 15 years as a German Teacher in private schools in Turkey...And now currently teach Level 5 and Level 7. Last school year I taught Level 2.1 and Level 7 students at the GLSW. My motto is; “ Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning “

Gabriele Polacek

Level 4

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 5/6

Judith Brauburger

High School and Adult classes

Antje Ballin

Iintermediate and advanced adult classes

Beate Buchmann

Substitute

Elisa Cordero

Substitute

My name is Elisa Cordero and I have been teaching at GLSW since the fall of 2018. I grew up in Germany and moved to the US after I completed my masters degree in education. My entire family still lives in Germany. I currently teach the Level 1, Youth Beginners and summer camp. I have taught Pre-K and Level 2 in the past. I like to incorporate a lot of hands on activities, fun projects and quizzes in my teaching.

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