Team International Middle School
Our teachers all hold Master’s degrees or above, have international experience and are credentialed and qualified to teach the International Baccalaureate program. All have taught their subject matter for at least four years. We exchange the newest teaching methods with universities in Europe to reinforce the academic rigor of the Middle School. Graduates from these universities visit our school and assist in our classrooms. Our teaching assistants speak English and German.
At GAIS, all teachers are credentialed and qualified to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.
Amanda Afshar
Homeroom Teacher Grade 7 and Spanish & Humanities (English), Assistant Principal
¡Bienvenidos! Prior to my career at GAIS, I taught and led in Illinois Schools and spent the summer holiday working with speakers of Nahualt and Spanish in Guerrero, México. I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Illinois State University with endorsements in Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, Spanish, Language Arts, and Humanities. While working as a bilingual classroom teacher, I continued my studies and completed my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.
This led to work as the District Bilingual Program Coordinator at Bloomington Public Schools. When I moved to the Bay Area in 2010, I began teaching Spanish, Humanities, and IT at GAIS. Over the years, I have worked with students from Grades K-8 in multiple classroom settings and have a passion for international education programs.
How has your teaching been influenced since you started working at the school?
Since working at GAIS and applying the principles of the MYP, my teaching and assessment philosophies have greatly changed. Prior to teaching here, my initial thoughts when beginning a Unit of Study were: What am I going to teach in this unit? and What assessment am I going to make? Now, when beginning a Unit of Study, my first thoughts are: What will the students do in the Unit? and What will the students be able to accomplish at the end? I have become more focused on student-centered learning and using assessment as a way to inform the students of their skills and as feedback to foster improvement. School has become more enjoyable because I am able to have conversations with students about their knowledge, understanding, and steps for further achievement. I see school more as an on-going process rather than a race to the end.
What qualities do you see in the students that have been through our program?
Because I have the benefit of working with GAIS 8th grade students, I feel I get the opportunity to experience the benefits of the program first-hand. Overall, the students are self-confident, reflective, and possess poise and skill in classroom discussions, presentations, and in experiences outside of the school. I feel the skills developed academically, linguistically, and socially at GAIS truly prepare the students to be successful in the emerging global setting of our world.
Katherine Schatzler
Homeroom Teacher Grade 8 and English
Hello! I was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and studied French immersion throughout my elementary and secondary school years. I graduated secondary school with an honors bilingual degree and continued my linguistic and literacy studies in post-secondary education. I graduated from Laurentian University with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree and then received an Honors Bachelor of Education degree from Lakehead University with focused teachable subjects of English Literacy, Language Arts and French as a second language.
I’ve taught grades 4 through 8 for the past 7 years and continued my education by receiving a Specialist degree in teaching a second language. I also worked cooperatively with a group of Language Arts teachers to develop new programs and curriculum that are now applied in schools throughout Ontario. In addition, the past 2 years, I worked with second language teachers developing Literacy lessons which emphasized inferencing and higher-order thinking/communication skills. As a result, I had several opportunities to demonstrate and model these lessons to other teachers and School Board administrators. I believe in life-long learning and look forward to working and continuing my education at GAIS.
What makes teaching at an IB school special?
The IB program encourages students to produce creative pieces of work and “think outside the box”. It also allows teachers to develop units which are engaging and meaningful to the students. This combination produces students who are well-rounded; not only academically through a balance of subjects and knowledge, but also socially as the units are designed to teach empathy and create global-thinkers. There are high expectations in learning skills and for academic performance, which throughout elementary, middle school, and diploma years, establish the foundation that students must have to be successful and principled in their future of academia and actuality.
What qualities do you see in the students that have been through our program?
The students at GAIS truly demonstrate the qualities of an IB learner. They are motivated to learn and work hard to show their skills. Students here grow and change together from kindergarten to 8th grade, and as a result, they have a second family in the school community. They support and encourage each other academically and socially, and when they experience subsequent “growing pains” in their changing lives, they have learned how to resolve personal conflicts responsibly and with maturity. In the end, there are special students in every IB program; what makes the students at GAIS unique is their commitment to developing character and the knowledge that they will make our world a better place by applying the skills they learn here.
Eva Chase
Homeroom Teacher Grade 6 and German, Visual Arts & Humanities (German)
I was born and raised in Erfurt, Germany, where I discovered my passion for teaching and foreign cultures. I studied in Basel, Switzerland, Montpellier, France and primarily in Freiburg, Germany, where I completed a Masters degree in teaching foreign languages, religion and geography. I have taught middle and high school for five years, mostly in Germany and the US, but also in France and India.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, drawing, singing, dancing and playing music.
But you will often find me outdoors, because I really love hiking and climbing in the mountains. It is a great experience for me to discover the world together with the students from GAIS.
What makes teaching at an IB school special?
Teaching at an IB school is a challenging, but also very rewarding experience for me. The IB curriculum not only demands high academic standards, but also fosters creativity and problem solving through the inquiry-based and project-oriented approach. Even though the acquisition of knowledge is valuable, the IB approach gives the students more opportunities to apply their knowledge in long-term projects. This is the reason why I see myself more as a tutor who encourages the students to discover and develop their inner potential by providing well-structured input and constructive feedback in their learning process.
What qualities do you see in the students that have been through our program?
When I compare students from GAIS who went through the IB curriculum with students from other schools where I have taught, I observe that they are more curious, open-minded and creative when approaching new tasks. This motivation is essential to ensure life-long learning in a world which changes very fast. In preparation for this world, the IB curriculum not only imparts knowledge, but also requires students to improve their learning technique skills. IB st
udents are able to work independently because they learn to plan, implement, present and reflect on their ideas in long-term projects. Since the students at GAIS study internationally-relevant topics and most speak at least three languages, they also learn to see the world from different perspectives and to find their role in the global community.
Deborah Trimble
Homeroom Teacher Grade 5 and Math, Science and IT
Hello everyone, I have lived and worked my entire life in California. My first job was working with children as a swimming instructor and lifeguard in Salinas, CA. After I graduated from college I coached an AAU swim team in San Jose, and started graduate studies at San Jose State University. I was very fortunate to be hired as a geologist at the U. S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park. For nearly 20 years I worked in the Radiocarbon Laboratory, first as a technician and later as the supervisor of the lab.
While working at the USGS I married my husband Mike, also a geologist, and we started our family. We have five wonderful children, and now a granddaughter.
Children have always been close to my heart. While at the USGS I founded GeoKids, a parent cooperative daycare center, which still remains a model for employer supported childcare. In 1995 I left the USGS to return to school and received my teaching credential from Norte Dame De Namur in Belmont. As an intern, I found my passion; I love teaching Middle School. Inspiring young teens in math and science is my great joy!
After 17 years of teaching at a parochial school in San Carlos, I am excited to begin a new phase of my teaching career. I became aware of IB programs first as a parent; both of my younger children were enrolled in the IB diploma program at Sequoia High School. My husband and I were very impressed by the quality and depth of the education they received. As I teacher, I realized how closely my teaching philosophy aligns with the IB program. Teaching at GAIS is a dream come true for me. I was very impressed by the school’s learning environment and enthusiastically look forward to working with the wonderful teachers and students at this exceptional school.
Uli Kolbe
Homeroom Teacher Grade 5 and German & Math
Guten Tag! I hail from the scenic Harz Mountains in Central Germany, and grew up there as well as in the Middle East. While languages have always been a passion of mine, so has teaching for more than half of my life.
Having studied in Leipzig and Bernburg, I genuinely enjoyed teaching students from more than twenty nations in Germany, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Over the years I have become more interested and experienced in combining proven traditional teaching approaches with modern technology, authoring and programming an interactive website for my foreign language classes.
My son and I enjoy the outdoors and I am also a pilot and aviation ground instructor.
I am truly excited about joining GAIS’ dedicated faculty and look forward to what I consider a learning and teaching experience.
Why did you choose to teach at GAIS?
I have always been intrigued by schools successfully implementing IB programs and adequately utilizing the potential offered by them for the benefit of their students. During my initial opportunity to get to know Menlo Park’s German American International School, I immediately sensed that GAIS is one of these rare institutions that enable young learners to become inquirers and global citizens.
In addition to that, I chose teaching at GAIS for very selfish reasons: I consider myself a lifelong learner, and being involved in the MYP at GAIS will challenge me and provide me with new experiences as well as
insights into teaching methodologies and approaches.
What makes you an international teacher?
As a young child, I was fortunate to live with and value the lifestyles, cultures, and languages of many people. These experiences, including the horrors of war, contributed to my growing understanding of the importance of teaching and of languages as a vital means of communication between nations, as a road toward international understandin
g, and as an indispensable way of enabling people to speak about their common concerns and ideals rather than focusing on what separates them. Only educated global thinkers with a sound knowledge of world languages will allow such dialogue to take place.
I love being around other learners, especially in international settings, and participating in their progress never ceases to amaze me.
Back in 1988, I started teaching German as a foreign language to students from Mexico, Nicaragua, Lebanon, Mali, Yemen, Guinea, Syria, Palestine, and Angola. Over the years,
I enjoyed teaching and learning from students from more than twenty nations; my previous three teaching assignments in Texas and Pennsylvania being among my most rewarding experiences.
Anita Winckler
Teacher of Math, Academic Support
I was born and raised in Munich, Bavaria where I studied „Lehramt fuer Grund – und Hauptschule“ at the Ludwigs-Maximilians Universitaet, Munich. After graduation in 2004 I worked for years as a classroom teacher. During this time I was responsible for the training of future teachers, working closely with the university. In 2010 my husband got the opportunity to realize his dream of living and working in the USA.
So we packed our household in a big container and moved to this great country. We enjoy our life here and one of the best things is, that I became a part of this wonderful school.
Last year I started as a substitute at GAIS, which means that when a colleague was sick I stepped in. Furthermore I did a long distance study with the Goethe-Institut „German as a second language“ and graduated in early 2012. This year I’m working as a math teacher and as an academic support in the 4th and 5th class.
Why did you choose to teach at GAIS?
Walking into GAIS the very first time, I noticed this school is really specially. Happy people all over and I felt the warm and international atmosphere. Respect, tolerance, kindness, responsibility and honesty aren’t just words here, these values are really lived here. So I was very keen to work in at this school.
What qualities do you see in the students that have been trough our program?
The kids here are studying with so much joy and motivation, which is the best precondition for their learning process. They know that everyone of them is important and for this reason they understand that they have to stick with the values of this school in their future lives. Even though the students learn to think and work independently they understand that in the we are a great community that works together as a whole. Having this skill will put them into a position to use any opportunity which their future lives will bring.
Alex Norwood
Teacher of Math & Science
Hello! I was born and raised in Canada where I received two degrees from Queen’s University and University of Toronto. Since then, I have had five years of teaching experience in four different countries (Japan, Canada, Mexico, England) and now USA, covering a breadth of subjects ranging from ESL and science to mathematics. As an educator my goal is to apply my academic expertise and my learning experiences to dedicated global citizens. I am excited that my international experience has brought me to the Bay Area to work within the framework of the IB curriculum at GAIS.
I am an advocate for life long learning through academic and personal experiences. I look forward to educating young dedicated global citizens for another year at GAIS.
What qualities do you see in the students that have been through our program?
After chaperoning the Berlin Grade 8 Trip, I can attest that the recent graduates of GAIS exhibit a strong sense of self-confidence. Their confidence is apparent not only in their academic skills, but they are also willing to adapt easily to new responsibilities – such as navigating their peers to various destinations across Berlin using the U-Bahn. The students have shown that they have benefited immensely from developing the IB learner profile attributes and from the support they have received from the GAIS community.
What are some qualities that you see within the GAIS teaching staff?
Additionally, the teachers at GAIS are very dedicated to the school community. Collaboration between teachers takes place almost daily and often there are in depth discussions on how to foster positive learning experiences for our pupils. The teachers here are also risk takers, and will bring forth their originality and insight into their classes. I personally enjoy the aspect that there’s a willingness to learn from and educate each other. Simply put, lifelong learning is not limited to the students, but permeates our entire school community. Great educators are lifelong learners too!
Nicole Mueller
Teacher of French & Humanities (German)
„Bonjour“ and „Güetun Tag“! No worries, I don’t expect anybody to understand the second phrase, as it is in the dialect of my mother tongue, Swiss German. I grew up in Switzerland in a region that is considered to be at “the foothills of the alps”, but I would say I am a real mountain girl. I love the mountains with all its sheep and cows, but I also love the sea. Now, I live up in “the city”, meaning that the mountain girl has moved to San Francisco. Of course, the surrounding of this place is very different from Switzerland, but I love it all the same.
I studied German, French and English to get my Master’s of Art in Secondary Education. While studying, I taught at a Middle School in Berne and for my end-of-studies internship, I came to GAIS in Menlo Park. I fell in love with that nice school on my first day and not in my wildest dreams would I have dared to imagine that one day, I could work there as a teacher. But, sometimes dreams do come true. So here I am: the French and Humanities teacher.
What makes you an international teacher?
My passion for languages, my open-mindedness, my interest in and curiosity about different cultures and the joy I get from living abroad.
Why did you choose to teach at GAIS?
It’s a school of an enjoyable size (neither too big, nor too small). I know that the school administration and the parents have high expectations of me and also of the students, therefore it’s a challenging, yet fascinating and very instructive setting.
Moreover, I like the spirit of this school.
Amy Nathan
Teacher of Music
I grew up in Canada and earned my Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Toronto. My primary instrument is the flute, although I have also enjoyed playing others. I completed my teaching diploma in New Zealand, where I continued to teach Music for three years. I also taught for one year in Canada. I have taught band, orchestra as well as general music throughout my teaching career.
I recently completed a course in the Orff Schulwerk approach to music education in San Francisco. I am really looking forward to bringing a new and exciting Music program with me to GAIS!
How has your teaching been influenced since you started working at the school?
My teaching has evolved enormously since beginning at GAIS. I have learned much from the student body; from all ages. I’ve learned that even 6-year-olds can teach me about Music. For example, in the second last week of school, a student presented to the whole first grade class his rendition of In The Jungle, with his own lyrics! He changed the words from “In the Jungle”, to ”In the Ocean” and proceeded to sing for the dolphins and whales. Precious.
What makes you an international teacher?
I truly feel that I am an “international teacher” and that will be a title for life. I have taught in a variety of situations in several countries: Canada, New Zealand, Cambodia, United States. I have learned so many different philosophies about teaching and many different cultural views on education. One thing remains consistent worldwide… no matter the language or culture, all students love Music!
Janine Weers
Teacher of PE and German
„Moin Moin“! Here I am the new Head of PE from the north-west of Germany! I was born and raised in a very small town and moved to Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, to pursue what I always wanted to be: a PE and English teacher! It may sound a little advantage of these awesome PE facilities and explore it!weird but I always loved going to school – the place in my small hometown where all my friends were and all the excitement happened!
I graduated from the University of Oldenburg and came to California the first time to work as an AuPair and immediately fell in love with this beautiful place on earth! California is the perfect place for a person who loves sports: running tracks, race bike tracks, basketball-, soccer-, volleyballfields, surfing spots, swimming, hiking and even skiing in the mountains! The perfect place to combine all my hobbies and follow my favorite sport: Basketball! I got my first teaching job at two different High Schools in Oldenburg where i have been working for three years before I got the oppurtunity to move to the Bay Area and work at this IB school. Now I am looking forward to taking
How has your teaching been influenced since you started working at the school?
My teaching has been influenced a lot working at this private IB school since it is very different from teaching at a huge public school in Germany. I absolutely enjoy working at a smaller school, knowing all the students, working closely with my colleagues and also being close to the parents, which makes teaching and learning a give and take!
What are some qualities that you see within the GAIS teaching staff?
The biggest quality in the teaching staff is the variety of origin countries, different cultures, different languages, and therefore the diversity of different characters, living experiences that they bring into our daily teaching life! With this we all learn from each other every day and grow ourselves. I love this way of learning and challenging myself over and over again.
Yaelan Wong
Teacher of Accelerated Math
Freia de Paoli
Teacher of Math
We welcome Freia to the GAIS Team!
Picture and text will follow soon…