At GAIS, all teachers are credentialed and qualified to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.

Our Kindergarten/Vorschule and Elementary School Teachers

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Kindergarten/Vorschule Teachers and Assistants

Ina Berenger - Teacher of the Jungle Kindergarten Class

I am a credentialed elementary school teacher with German and Art as my main subjects. Before moving from Hamburg to California in 2002, I worked in an elementary and middle school, teaching 1st through 7th grade. In the States I have worked in several co-ops which my children attended. As my husband is French, our two daughters learn three languages, which makes multilingual education a central theme of my private life as well. In 2006-2007 I studied "German as a second language" at the Goethe-Institut and graduated in 2007. I started working at GAIS in the school year 2007/08 as assistant in the Vorschule and as German teacher for the VS children. I am now the Vorschule teacher of the "Jungle" class and I am excited about helping 5-year olds explore and understand the world.

Dagmar Scheel - Teacher of the Aquarium Kindergarten Class

After growing up in Schwaben (southwestern Germany), I went to study at the universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim, Germany, where I obtained diplomas in music as well as my teaching credentials. I was a professional musician at the National Opera in Mainz for one year before becoming a teacher at the Musikschule in Tuebingen, Germany, where I taught music and Early Education for 13 years, interrupted by a one-year stay in Baltimore, Maryland. I moved to California in 2004 with my husband and son and have since worked in Vorschule at GAIS. I cherish the international environment of the San Francisco Bay Area as well as GAIS’s IB program where I can bring music and fun to education.

Jutta Cottarel - Teacher Assistant in Aquarium

Last year, I joined the Aquarium Kindergarten class at GAIS as an assistant teacher. Our family relocated from the East Coast at the end of December, where I held a position as an assistant teacher in the Kindergarten program at the French International School Boston. I also taught a second grade class at the German Saturday School in Boston. Our family became founding members of the German International School Boston, which our children attended for a few years. Initially a biologist by training, I changed my career path when I had my own children, two sons and one daughter, and found my vocation in the field of teaching and child development. I grew up in Fulda, Germany, pursued my studies in Cologne, and did research work at the University of Giessen, where I met my husband. Both of us decided to come to the US in 1991.

Our Elementary School Teachers

Claudia Gruber - Teacher of the First-Grade Class 1G

I was born and raised in Switzerland where I also received my elementary school teacher credentials. After my studies I wanted to travel the world but never made it much further than California. After having been here now for many years, the international flair of the Bay Area still holds attraction for me. I have taught for two years in Switzerland and for four years at GAIS, before I took a break from teaching to start-up a small restaurant with my husband and to start my family. I am excited to take up teaching again and to join the international GAIS community.

Luise Genzinger - Teacher of the First-Grade Class 1L

I hold a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Heidelberg and a Masters of Arts in Elementary and Secondary Education from the Teacher College of Karlsruhe, Germany. I have been involved in teaching in various settings and in children’s education in the US and in Germany for more than twelve years. I also served as head of the music department and computer department at Stulz-von-Ortenberg-Schule in Baden-Baden, Germany. Raised bilingually in a multi-cultural environment. I became intrigued with the IB program while searching for a more challenging school for my two sons. I feel very fortunate to be working with my new class and bringing my love for learning to my students.

Barbara Bensen - Teacher of the Second-Grade Class 2B

In 1997 I received my teacher credential for PE and elementary school pedagogy (especially German and social science/local history). After a trial practice in educating my own daughters, I started teaching my main subjects at a public school in Mahlow. The last five years I taught German to native and non native speakers (Kindergarten - Grade 5) at Berlin-Brandenburg International School in Kleinmachnow. There I got in contact with the PYP and was impressed by the way how a fruitful and international learning environment can be set up. As I spent nearly my whole life in Berlin, my appetite for real international experience increased. So I applied for a position at GAIS. Freshly imported from Germany, I already feel the student oriented, engaged spirit of my new school. I brought my family with me and my kids will join Grade 5 and Grade 7 this year.
Dealing with PYP again feels a bit like coming home in a different setting and this is what I want to provide to my Grade 2 students – feeling home and inspired in school.

Janet Roitsch - Teacher of the Second-Grade Class 2R

I was born and raised in Leipzig and I am a credentialed elementary school teacher who graduated from the University "Alma mater lipsiensis" (university of Leipzig). After my studies and one year of internship I received my diploma in Montessori education. I loved teaching children according to Maria Montessori’s ideas at my first job as a classroom and music teacher at a private elementary school in Dresden. I really enjoy music, like to sing and dance and I play the guitar. Above all, I love to make music with children. I am excited to work at GAIS and look forward to combining my interest in music and teaching.

Christine Burris - Teacher of the Third-Grade Class 3B

I received my credentials as a middle and high-school teacher ("Realschul-Lehrer") for English and French after finishing my studies in Göttingen, Germany. In addition, I received my US teaching credentials for German and English as a Second Language for Kindergarten through grade 8. I have been teaching at the German-American International School since 1994 and have teaching experience for Pre-Kindergarten through Junior College.

Birgit Pape - Teacher of the Third-Grade Class 3P

I am a credentialed elementary school teacher and have studied at the universities of Munich and Augsburg, Germany. My main subjects are German, math, biology and P.E. During my studies I had an internship at the German School in Bilbao, Spain. I have taught at the school since 1997 and am currently a homeroom teacher.

Jörg Matzeit - Teacher of the Fourth-Grade Class 4M

I studied mathematics, German and sports at Bergische Universitaet und Gesamthochschule Wuppertal, North-Rhine Westphalia. After working in Germany as a primary school teacher, I worked in a private elementary school in Mexico for four years. During my time in Mexico I studied German as a Second Language in Kassel’s long-distance program. I like the principles of the IB program, and look forward to implementing them at GAIS. I played handball for 20 years and enjoy teaching sports as well as playing sports. Some of the sports that I still practice are swimming and cycling. I also like playing chess.

Erika van Deusen - Teacher of the Fourth-Grade Class 4V

Erika has been teaching at the German-American International School since 1990 and was the Principal for the School and Kindergarten in 2002 to 2005, following several other leadership responsibilities at the school. Her previous experience includes positions as a homeroom teacher in an elementary school as well as a high school in Essen, Germany, and a private school in the Bay Area. She has been actively involved in school matters as a faculty representative. Erika obtained her German teaching credentials for elementary and high school in Essen, Germany, and in addition to her postgraduate studies in German, she has also received her California teaching credentials. Besides school, her hobbies include sailing, skiing, hiking, traveling and reading.

Michala Strasser - Fifth-Grade Teacher

I was born in Munich in 1955. I did my teaching training at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and started teaching in 1980 after having spent a year in Los Altos with an American family to improve my English and widen my horizons. In 1996, I started teaching German at the Bavarian International School where I was introduced to the PYP which, I think, is a more effective and modern way of teaching and learning. From 2000 to 2004, I returned to public school, where I taught German, English, and biology in grades 5 and 6. In 2004, I gained further experience in both the PYP and MYP at the Mercedes-Benz International School in Pune, India. From 2005 to 2007, I moved on to Atlanta International School in Georgia, USA, where I gained further experience in PYP, teaching German in grades 1 and 2. After another year of teaching in Germany,  I am now in California, combining all my experiences and happily offering them to GAIS for hopefully the rest of my teaching career. I have an 18-year-old son. He attended all 'my' international schools and just graduated from the United World College in Mahindra, India.

Bridey Baring - Teacher of English (Grade 5)

I was born and raised in the wine region of country Victoria in Australia. In 2000 I graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Education (Primary). I then worked full time for seven years in three Elementary Schools, teaching all subjects from 3rd through to 6th grade. During this time I was heavily involved in student sporting programs and coaching. Before moving to the Bay Area in January of 2008, I taught English, Computer Technology and Social Studies at a girls’ school in Brisbane, Queensland. I am looking forward to becoming a member of and contributing to the GAIS community.

David Giesen - Teacher of English/Social Studies (Grade 3 & 4)

After first taking my B.A. in English at UC Santa Barbara and then earning both multiple subject (3-8) and single subject (English and Social Studies) teaching credentials from Domincan University in San Rafael, I settled first in Mendocino County on California's north coast before moving to San Francisco in 1996. I've classroom taught grades 4-8 and also served as librarian and theater arts director at two K-8 schools in San Francisco. I enjoy writing plays and children's books, but before the sun sets after school you are welcome to join me bicycling, kayaking or on the walking tour of San Francisco I lead once a week.

Amy Parsons - Teacher of English (Grade 1 & 2)

I grew up in New Mexico, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Languages at the University of New Mexico. During this time, I spent one year as an exchange student at the Karl-Franzens University in Austria. After obtaining my Bachelor's Degree, I went on to earn a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. I obtained my teaching credentials while teaching a second grade classroom in New Mexico. I then went on to teach first grade in a PYP international school in Brussels, Belgium. Before moving to America, my husband and I took a year long bicycle trip from Belgium to China. Happy to now be off of my bike and back in the classroom, I am looking forward to sharing my love of learning with my new students.

Kylie Whalen - Support Teacher of English

Hi GAIS families. My name is Kylie Whalen and I am working as the English Support Teacher this year. I recently moved to the Bay Area from Washington, D.C. where I taught first grade for the past three years. Prior to that I taught English as a Fulbright Scholar in Berlin to German middle school and high school students. I am enjoying the warm weather in Northern CA and spending my weekends hiking, biking, trying new restaurants, and watching my favorite football teams. I look forward to meeting you.

Anneliese Messner - Music Teacher

I grew up in Minnesota and Austria and studied in Innsbruck, Austria, and Amherst, Massachusetts. I earned Master’s degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance. I have taught grades K-12 at private and public schools in Austria, Germany, Massachusetts, and California.

Elena Pacheco - Teacher of Spanish

I was born and raised in Santiago, Chile. I received a B.A. from Escuela Americana de Traductores e Interpretes in Chile. I am a translator for English, Spanish and French. I taught Spanish in Chile in The Exeriment in International Living for four years. My previous experience includes teaching at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills for twelve years, at San Mateo Adult Education for six years and at The Carey School for 21 years. My hobbies include a weekly visit to the recreation room at Lucile's Packard's Children Hospital at Stanford, where I have been a volunteer for 19 years. Currently, I am taking classes at Stanford University, School of Education, and with Bay Area Foreign Language Programs (BAFLOP).

Celine Wahl - Teacher of French

Bonjour! My name is Celine. I am the new French teacher and very pleased to work for an IB program school. I was born in Lille, in the northern part of France, where I later studied German at the University of Lille, to become a teacher. In 1995, I moved to Munich/Germany, where I taught French to children and adults. In 2000, we moved to California and we really enjoy the Californian way of life! My passion is teaching my mother tongue and conveying the original French culture. I also work for PAFEA, teaching French to French children who live here. My goal is to make your children speak French without the fear of making mistakes; as this is part of the process of learning a foreign language. A bientot!

After-School Teachers

Zeinab Mukhaiche - After-School (Hort) Teacher

My name is Zeinab Mukhaiche. I was born in Beirut (Lebanon) but was raised in Baden-Wuerttenberg (Germany). I received my Child Development Diploma (Erzieherin) in Stuttgart 2003. I taught in a Preschool for a couple of years in Germany. Between 2006 - 2008 I was an AuPair in the Bay Area and during this time I fell in love with this country. That's when I decided to work as a teacher in an international school here in America. I am glad to be a part of the GAIS and very excited about this opportunity.

Eva Ollenschlaeger - After-School (Hort) Teacher

I grew up near Cologne and went to the University of Münster, where I earned the '1st Staatsexamen' for the teaching profession at elementary schools in 2007. When I first came to California in 2005 as a visitor, I immediately fell in love with the Bay Area and decided - after graduating from the University of Münster - to continue my education at the University of San Francisco, where I recently received a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. I look forward to working with a community of international students, parents, and staff.