Team Hort
Mahbobeh (Mahbu) Vaseghi
Site Supervisor After-School Care (Hort)
I am married with two grown children. In my homeland Iran, I studied psychology and law. I worked for an oil company as a paralegal and at the same time as a psychologist at an orphanage. In 1986, I moved from Iran to Germany where I worked for three years as a preschool teacher and in after-school child care. I relocated again in 1995 to California and immediately started working at GAIS.
Zeinab Mukhaiche
After-School Care (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.
Sylvia Nobbmann
After School Care (Hort) Teacher
I live in San Jose and was born in Bonn, Germany. I have extensive experience in working with children and families. I can really connect with children and particularly enjoy working in a team. After receiving my university diploma in psychology, I started working as a therapist for dyslexic children in Munich. Then, I held a position as a psychologist in an outpatient setting. After completing my Family Therapy Qualification, I worked in a psychiatric hospital for children and teenagers. Later, my husband and I lived in England for about three years. During that time, I worked in a nursery school, taught German at the local college and took part in volunteer programs for different organizations.
Then, we moved to California. In December 2009, I graduated from San Jose City College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. At the beginning of 2010, I started working at GAIS in the after-school program and also taught science lessons at the preschool. This term, I got a position as a preschool assistant. Working with children of different age groups, I especially focus on their strengths and resources. I really enjoy bringing out the creativity in children and making learning not just a challenge but also fun by providing structure and implementing all different kinds of activities.
Maria Merentiti
After School Care (Hort) Teacher
My name is Maria Merentiti and I was born in Greece. I studied law and German linguistics in Germany and in Switzerland. I worked as a lawyer for a construction company in Greece and as a German teacher at a private school. Last year (2011) I moved with my husband to California. I am very happy to be part of the GAIS hort team.
Karin Voelker
Preschool Assistant / After School Care (Hort)
I am originally from Frankfurt, Germany and came to the United States 12 years ago. I have travelled to many places as a flight attendant, but I left my heart in San Francisco. I recently earned my master’s degree in psychology. Since I am 16 years old, I have been passionate about working with children age 6 months to 6 years. I have been an Au Pair, nanny, and babysitter continuously while studying and working here in the Bay Area. I am currently taking evening classes to continue with my studies in early childhood education.
In October 2008, our son Jannik was born, so I am familiar with taking care of children from the perspective of a parent as well.
If I find some free time in my busy life, I love being creative. I paint and I sew birthday crowns, toys, costumes, and decorations.
My philosophy is play-based with a focus on creativity and imagination in the early years of development. I am excited to have joined the GAIS team, and I really enjoy providing a fun, loving, and safe atmosphere for the preschool kids!
Katarina Kuhlke
Preschool Assistant / After School Care (Hort)
I was born in Croatia, but I grew up in Waldzell, Austria. I studied Educational Science (Pädagogik) at the University of Vienna from 2005 to 2010. From August 2007 until August 2008 I took a year off from university and worked as an Au Pair for a family in Pacifica, CA.
I came back to San Francisco in 2010 after graduating from University to be with my now-husband Matthew. I have always been very interested in child development and education, therefore I’m very excited about the opportunity to work at GAIS as a preschool assistant.
In my spare time I like to travel, read and listen to music.
Jennifer Porscha
After School Care (Hort) Teacher
I was born and raised in a small town near Heidelberg, Germany.
After graduating High School I soon discovered that I love to work with kids and that I wanted to become a Preschool Teacher. I enjoyed learning everything about children and their development. I received my Diploma in Child Development in 2010.
After my education I came to Belmont as an Au Pair.
I enjoyed living and working in the Bay Area and fell in love with California and with my (now) husband.
At GAIS I work as a after school care teacher and I am very happy to be a part of the GAIS team.
Julia Knieling
After School Care (Hort) Teacher
I was raised and educated in Franconia in the north of Bavaria in Germany. At the University of Bamberg I studied Grundschullehramt (Teaching for Elementary Schools). After that, I taught at an elementary school near Erlangen for two years finishing my Referendariat (provisional training period) and completed my 2. Staatsexamen (professional teaching certificate). Following my husband, a medical researcher, to the Bay Area I am now looking forward to work at the GAIS.