Our Teachers
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Hans-Peter Metzger - Head of School
My experience in managing International Schools comes from Europe, mostly from Italy and
Spain, as well as from my responsibilities with the Mediterranean Association of International
School and various accreditation teams. Each school that I have had the privilege to lead had
its own distinct program designed to meet the needs of the community that it served. Thus, I
am fortunate in having a very broad background in the field of International Education. It is
through this lens that I first looked at GAIS and saw it to be a truly International School
from every perspective, serving a dynamic and committed community of parents, students and
staff. A tremendous amount of work has been done at GAIS in the recent past and it will be
my goal to continue this momentum of growth, development and improvement into the new school
year.
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Christine Burris - Teacher of Grade 3
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.
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Susanne Conze - Teacher of Grade 2
I am a native of the Frankfurt area and was drawn further south in Germany to study at
the Paedagogische Hochschule in Heidelberg. During that time I got the chance to study
abroad for one year at Bethany College in West Virginia. After receiving my German
teaching credentials I started to work at a public school in Mannheim where I put a newly
developed music program into action. The year before I joined the GAIS, I was teaching at
an elementary school in Munich and enjoyed the Bavarian lifestyle. Now I greatly enjoy
the Californian way of life. I am a homeroom teacher for grade 2 and teach music grades 1
through 5.
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Evelyn Dietrich - Vorschule Teacher
Originally from Zurich, Switzerland where I attained my Diploma as an Early Childhood
Educator with ten years experience, including work at a Bilingual Preschool, I expanded my
skills to working in Passenger and Groundhandling duties at Zurich Airport. Working within a
bilingual school, I began to appreciate how different cultures influence child development and
this became the primary reason for my move to Menlo Park. I look forward to teaching Vorschule
this year
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Valentin Gairhos - Teacher of Math/Science/IT
I am originally from Stuttgart. During my time at the Paedagogischen Hochschule in Freiburg,
I also enjoyed studying my favorite subjects Physics, Math and Engineering. That allowed me to do
some of my study work in Madrid. When I am not busy at school, I enjoy playing soccer in summer
and skiing in winter. If I am not doing any of these, I probably sit together with friends, and
have somebody explain to me why Americans cheer during American Football when the ball flies over
the goal.
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David Giesen - Teacher of English/Social Studies
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.
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Elizabeth Kaczka - Teacher of English/Social Studies
I grew up on the East Coast, in the hills of Northern New Jersey. After High School, I
went to the University of Colorado in Boulder to pursue a teaching credential for Elementary
Education. I also studied and received a B.A. in Religious Studies during my time there. In
the winter of 2003, I moved to California and received a California Multiple Subject Teaching
Credential. I was drawn to the German-American International School because of the I.B.
program; a program I became experienced within the course of my teacher preparation program.
I look forward to contributing to the GAIS' educational community through teaching English,
Social Studies, ESL, and Theater.
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Andrea Lenz - Teacher of Grade 5
Originally from the nice Hochtaunuskreis north of Frankfurt/Main I spent 6 months in London
as an Au-Pair before studying primary school teaching back in Frankfurt. During my studies I
spent one of the Praktikums in London as an assistant teacher at William Davis Primary School.
My main subjects are English, Math and German but after having been into athletics for more
than ten years I enjoy teaching P.E. as well and have a Vorturnerschein. I taught in the
Hochtaunuskreis until July 2005 and then moved to California with my husband in November the
same year.
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Jenny Menke - Teacher of Grade 1
I am a credentialed elementary school teacher and have studied at the University of
the Arts in Berlin, Germany. My main subjects are Art, German, Social Studies and
Elementary Science. During University I studied for one semester in Bristol, England.
After I was finished with my teacher training in 1999, I became a full time teacher at
the Berlin British School where I taught Art from Year 7 to I.B. diploma and German for
native and non native language learners in Elementary School for the past seven years.
I am very pleased about the opportunity I was given to work as a homeroom teacher for
Grade 1 at the German American International School and be able to extend my work
experience in an International environment.
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Annerose Noll - Teacher of German/French/Humanities
Annerose was born and raised in Germany. She earned a master’s degree in education
with concentrations in French and English having studied in Gießen, Paris, Ohio and
Kansas. Having taught at a German high school for three years, she relocated to
California in September 2004 in order to be with her husband. She immediately started
working as a volunteer and later as a substitute in the preschool, kindergarten and in
the afternoon care program of our school and was an assistant in the Kaefergruppe in the
school year 2005/2006. Besides, she has taught German at Terman Middle School and at the
Saturday School (GASPA). This year she will be teaching German, History, Geography and
French in Middle School and she will be homeroom teacher for grade 8.
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Birgit Pape - Teacher of Grade 2
I am a credentialed elementary school teacher and have studied at the universities in
Munich and Augsburg, Germany. My main subjects are German, Math, Biology and Physical
Education. 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
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Maike Silver - Vorschule Teacher/PYP Coordinator
"Moin, moin" as we say in Laboe/Germany where I grew up. In 1986, I moved to the
United States. Here I met my husband Keith. We currently live in Mountain View with our
two daughters Jenny (16) and Christine (13). After studying Child Development at
Foothill College, I joined the Kindergarten team of the GAIS 11 years ago. After
experiencing the IB program in Vorschule for 3 years, I was offered the position of the
PYP (Primary Years Program) coordinator 2 years ago. I accepted the challenge, because
I truly believe the IB curriculum and philosophy allows for a unique and excellent
learning experience for every child. Outside of school, I love to swim and support my
daughters on their softball and soccer teams. Whenever I am not in school, in the pool
or on the sport fields I like to read, garden, ski in the winter and take hikes.
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Erika van Deusen - Teacher of Grade 1
Erika has been teaching at the German-American International School since 1990 and was the
Principal for the School and Kindergarten in 2002-2005, following several other leadership
responsibilities at the school. Her previous experience includes positions as a home-room
teacher in an elementary school as well as a high school in Essen, Germany, and a private
school in the Bay Area. She always has been actively involved in school matters as a faculty
representative. Erika obtained her German Teaching Credential for elementary and high school
in Essen, Germany, and in addition to her postgraduate studies in German, she has also
received her California Teaching Credential. Besides school, her hobbies include sailing,
skiing, hiking, traveling and reading.
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