OUR TEACHERS

OUR TEACHERS ARE THE HEART OF OUR PROGRAM

SusannPKS

Susann Maletz

Susann is a native of Germany. She is passionate about teaching preschool/kindergarten level classes and has done so since 2009 at the German School of the East Bay (GSEB) in Oakland, CA. She also taught German summer camps for GSEB and Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany, CA. Susann understands that the best way to learn, is to teach, and years of preparing curriculum have taught her that a play-based, hands-on approach allows children to develop language skills naturally and at their own pace.

quotesI believe empathy is the key to social and emotional learning. Acknowledging and allowing all feelings, big and small, is what preschool should be all about. It is a crucial time to become comfortable amongst others and the stepping stone for future learning and happiness.”

Gerlinde Ashley

Gerlinde Ashley

Gerlinde was born and raised in Schwarzach, Germany, near Nürnberg, and has lived in America since 1998. Gerlinde first experienced Portland Kinderschule as a parent. After many years of involvement, she joined our German immersion preschool as a teacher in 2011. She delights daily in the joy and satisfaction of seeing her students’ minds engage and their eyes sparkle with achievement. She believes some of the best moments in a school day are the times of outrageous humor and deep joy that can suddenly erupt in play, or build up with a game or story.

 

quotes “You laugh, you cry, and you work harder than you ever thought you could. Sometimes you try to change the world and sometimes you try to just make it through the day. My heart is full of joy and my mind is packed with memories of children who have touched my life. Living my life with my eyes wide open and loving what I am doing feels like a blessing.”

Yvonne Rasmussen

Yvonne was born in Seoul, South Korea, to a Korean mother and a German father. She moved to Saarbrücken, Germany, when she was 5 years old and grew up in a bilingual environment.

Yvonne feels strongly about the advantages of a bilingual upbringing. Having been raised bilingually and raising her two children, Xander and Zoe, bilingually, she has firsthand experience incorporating German language and culture into daily life.

Both of Yvonne’s children attended Portland Kinderschule until she and her family moved back to Germany in 2012. She recently returned to Portland with her family.

When not at PKS or busy being a mom, she enjoys crafting, reading, baking, and cooking.