Teaching Staff

Andreas Bieniek

Principal & Teacher 8. Grade

Irene Kaefer

Vice Principal & Teacher 11./12. Grade

Katharina Akdemir

Teacher 4. Grade

Anita Altinbas

Teacher 2. Grade

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.

Antje Ballin

Teacher Adult Advanced

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

Corinna Burgess

Teacher 1. Grade

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.

Anita Kostadinov

Teacher 3. Grade

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.

Angelika Leissl

Teacher Adult Intermediate

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.

Petra Linnehan

Teacher 9./10. Grade

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.

Margarete Lorch-Denicola

Teacher Kindergarten

Annette Meister

Teacher 5./6. Grade

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.

Margret Schneider

Teacher Adult Upper Intermediate

Sabine Shike

Teacher Adult Beginner & Adult Elementary

My name is Sabine Shike and I grew up in Eschborn, Germany. I have been living in the US since 1988. Along my career path as an international banker, translator, teacher and tutor I have been working bilingually in Germany and in the US. I started teaching Adults Level 1 at the GLSW in 2025.

Thanks to my job as a translator as well as many business and private trips to Germany and Switzerland, I still have a lot of exposure to the German language in various subject areas reaching from finance, economics, marketing, law, education and life sciences to IT.

Besides English I learned some Latin, French and Japanese and I taught ESL as a Literacy Volunteer of Pascack Valley.

It is a pleasure to share my language skills and cultural knowledge with those who are interested.

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