At the heart of KinderHaus is a warm and passionate team of educators and staff. Each member brings deep expertise in child development and a shared commitment to nurturing children through nature-based, and play-driven learning and our annual all staff anniversary celebration where everyone who has ever worked at KinderHaus through the years and their families are invited, is a beloved tradition.
Annemarie brings a rich background in both Health and Social Sciences and Design, but her greatest passion lies in working with young children. She feels fortunate to be part of Brooklyn’s vibrant German community, where she has gained valuable experience teaching preschoolers at several German-language schools. At Kinderhaus, Annemarie shares her enthusiasm, creativity, and deep commitment to early childhood education. She believes that children thrive when nurtured by positive role models, given the freedom to explore at their own pace, and supported in following their natural curiosity and unique strengths. As the mother of a bilingual elementary-aged daughter, Annemarie finds daily inspiration in the wonder and joy of childhood learning. Outside the classroom, she enjoys knitting and spending time outdoors—whether she’s running through New York City’s five boroughs or discovering new green spaces with her family.
Brigitte is from Augsburg, Germany, where she earned her degree in Early Childhood Education in 2011. Since then, she has spent over a decade working with children ages 0–6, building a strong foundation of expertise and deep dedication to early childhood development. Her career has taken her around the world, enriching her perspective and approach to teaching. As an Au Pair in Ireland and Washington, D.C., Brigitte supported bilingual children and immersed herself in diverse cultures. These experiences not only strengthened her English skills but also fostered a global mindset, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for cross-cultural learning. Brigitte joined the KinderHaus team in 2021 and has been a beloved teacher in the Ladybug group ever since. Beginning this year, she is thrilled to take on a new role as Head of Pedagogy, where she will help guide and support the educational vision of KinderHaus. She is passionate about integrating creativity and exploration into daily learning. She delights in leading hands-on art projects, weaving music into everyday routines, and sparking children’s curiosity through natural science discoveries. At the heart of her pedagogical approach is a deep respect for each child as a unique individual. She emphasizes creativity, emotional growth, inquisitive thinking, and meaningful, play-based learning. Outside of KinderHaus, Brigitte finds joy in the kitchen, baking and trying out new recipes and spending time in nature, whether hiking a new trail or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Diana is a certified kindergarten teacher from the Black Forest, Germany. She worked with children and teenagers ages 1 – 18 years in different institutions for many years. In 2017 she received her Montessori diploma and has worked with this pedagogy ever since. Montessori is a method of education that is based on self – directed activity, hands on learning and collaborative play. One of the most important principles of the Montessori pedagogy is “help me do it myself”. For some years she taught dance to children ages 3 – 6 years and has been an active member in a dance group. In her free time she likes to hike, cook and travel to new places.
Ines is from Recklinghausen, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia. During her school days she discovered her love for languages. In addition to English, she also learned French and Italian. Since her parents are from Tunisia, she also learned Arabic and she grew up bilingual. She has a Bachelor degree in French and History. During her studies she also did some internships. This enabled her to gain experience in the field of language teaching. In 2022 she did a 10-month internship at Kinderhaus. She enjoyed the time at Kinderhaus so much that she decided to work as a teacher. She loves to accompany the children in their development, to encourage them and to show them the world in a playful and educational way. Ines loves to travel and discover new cultures. In her free time she likes to watch films/series and meet up with friends and she likes to cook.
Julia is a certified kindergarten teacher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Alanus University. Her studies focused on Waldorf education, play-based learning, and animal-assisted pedagogy. For many years, she worked with children ages 0–6 in Waldorf education settings. For over ten years, Julia has also taught in German immersion programs, working with children ages 1–6. She is passionate about storytelling and loves to involve children in the process, awakening their enthusiasm and curiosity for the world around them. Julia strongly believes in the philosophy of open-ended play and enjoys creating thoughtfully designed environments that foster open-ended play. Julia has a deep passion for art and sensory experiences and focuses on a holistic, child-centered curriculum that meets children at their individual developmental levels, inspires curiosity, and encourages independent thinking. Drawing from her Waldorf background, she places great value on nurturing all of the senses through inquiry-based learning and meaningful interactions with the natural world. Outside of the classroom, Julia enjoys spending time outdoors in nature with her son.
Khatuna is from the stunning Caucasus mountains in Georgia. She received a Magister Degree in Foreign Languages and became a certified German Language Teacher through which Khatuna gained experience in teaching children in public schools. Following her passion for music, Khatuna graduated from Eberhardt Karls University in Tuebingen . To refine her German, Khatuna stayed in Germany and worked at different German companies such as Arvato Bertelsmann. In 2018 Khatuna moved to New York where she worked as a nanny. While taking care of her own two daughters, Khatuna specifically enjoys being part of the Kinderhaus community adding her experience into the mix.
Laura Administrative Coordinator (Remote)
Originally from Germany, Laura manages KinderHaus operations from Austin, TX. With a background in fitness economics and clinical rehab, she brings both structure and warmth to her role. Her dual experience in education and health gives her unique insight into children’s physical development.
Lisa grew up in the countryside of Saxony-Anhalt and graduated as a state-certified preschool and kindergarten teacher in 2019. The most important thing for her is to support children on their journey to discover themselves and the world in all its facets, with a strong focus on their individuality. In 2020, she moved to New York City to work as an Au Pair, and since 2022, she has been living in Hanover, Niedersachsen, where she taught children between the ages of 0–6 as a group leader in an immersion kindergarten. With lots of creativity and a positive mindset, Lisa is dedicated to making every day at KinderHaus fun, while creating a safe and caring environment where children feel valued and in good hands. She joined KinderHaus in January as part of the Butterfly group and is now excited to continue her journey with the Ladybug class.
Lorina holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and brings a rich background of international experience to Kinderhaus. Over the years, she has worked with children of all ages, from leading summer programs for teenagers in Spain to spending several years abroad as an Au Pair. These diverse experiences have shaped her warm, adaptable teaching style and deepened her insight into how young children learn and thrive. Since joining Kinderhaus in 2022, Lorina has become a deeply valued member of our teaching team. She is known for her gentle presence, joyful energy, and heartfelt dedication to nurturing our youngest learners. Her classroom is a safe, loving space where children feel seen, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them.Guided by her belief that children learn best through all their senses, Lorina fosters curiosity, creativity, and holistic development—always honoring each child’s unique rhythm and individuality. Outside of the classroom, Lorina finds joy in traveling and spending time in nature, experiences that continue to infuse her teaching with fresh perspective and inspiration.
Nadine is originally from Hamburg, in northern Germany. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education in 2019 and has worked with children and young people of various ages, from infancy through young adulthood (0–21). Most recently, Nadine completed her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2025, further deepening her pedagogical knowledge and professional experience.
Alongside her studies, Nadine worked in an early intervention center, supporting children in their development with the goal of addressing developmental delays and supporting children with disabilities. Nadine is known for her great joy in working with children and brings a special sense of patience and calm into the classroom. It is important to her to meet each child at their individual developmental level and to create a safe, nurturing learning environment in which children can grow and flourish.
Olympia is a certified elementary school teacher originally from Miami, Florida, and brings with her a rich cultural background and a deep passion for early childhood education. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, she grew up speaking both German and Spanish as her first languages. This multicultural foundation has greatly shaped her approach to teaching and her commitment to creating inclusive, nurturing learning environments for all children. Olympia also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Culture, and her educational philosophy is grounded in celebrating diversity, sparking curiosity, and cultivating kindness. She believes that learning thrives when children feel seen, supported, and inspired, and she works each day to foster a classroom atmosphere where every child can flourish. With a playful, hands-on teaching style and a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, Olympia brings warmth, creativity, and intentionality to every interaction. Her ability to connect with young learners, meet them where they are, and encourage their growth both academically and personally makes her a wonderful addition to our program.
KinderHaus has successfully established itself as the only German school in NYC that is a visa sponsor organization of teachers from Germany, enabling it to staff its programs with the most qualified native German teachers, all with pedagogical degrees of either kindergarten / preschool teacher (“Erzieherausbildung”) or elementary school teacher (“Staatsexamen” / Master of Education). Many of our teachers stay for years, and some have even returned after moving across the world. We host regular staff reunions and our annual all-staff celebration is a beloved tradition. The bonds we build with one another echo in the bonds we build with our children.