Faculty & Staff - German International School of Silicon Valley

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Preschool-12 Dual Language Education in
Two Locations in the Bay Area

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About
- Welcome to GISSV
  The German International School of Silicon Valley is an independent, nonprofit preschool–grade 12 school with two locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Learning in German and English
  Our high-quality dual-immersion education helps students reach their full potential in a stimulating environment that fosters critical and imaginative thinking, a passion for lifelong learning and an appreciation for cultural diversity.
Admissions
- Meeting Students’ Needs From Preschool Through High School
  GISSV welcomes students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We serve students from two to eighteen years old.
- Enrollment
  The enrollment period begins during the months of January and February of each year for the upcoming school year. We also accept new students throughout the school year based on availability. Knowledge of the German language is required for all children who enroll after 1st grade (See also our German Fast Track Program).
Learning
- Nurturing Holistic and Individual Development
  Our well-balanced program provides rich project-based and differentiated learning experiences, fostering interests across all subject areas as well as social-emotional competency, critical thinking, artistic expression and physical motor skills.
- Safe and Stimulating Learning Environments
  We provide highly qualified teachers, small class sizes and an excellent student-to-teacher ratio. Our engaging and ambitious curriculum is enhanced by comprehensive science and technology resources.
School Life
- Rich Experiences in the Classroom and Beyond
  At GISSV, we are instilling an appreciation of life, music, sports, culture and arts among our students. We take responsibility and action for ourselves, others and our planet.
- Strong Sense of Community
  GISSV has a vibrant international school community thanks to our small class sizes, cohesive, dynamic preschool–12 structure and enriching events that involve all our students, teachers and parents.
Campuses & Camps
- Serving Families Across the Bay Area
  GISSV has campuses in Mountain View and San Francisco. We also connect our students to their local environment by exploring the cultural, natural, academic and entrepreneurial destinations the Bay Area has to offer.
- Two Campuses, One School
  All GISSV programs are bilingual and based on the German curriculum of the state of Thuringia, which is known and respected for its well-rounded educational approach
Support GISSV
- Enhancing the GISSV Experience
  Family and community support is a vital part of GISSV. Voluntary contributions of time, resources and expertise are key to our success.
- Every Gift Matters
  Donations are essential to preserving and advancing GISSV’s exceptional educational programs. Tax-deductible contributions enable us to realize our most important current and long-term priorities, preparing our students for the world ahead.

Saturday School Leadership

Susan Malone
Head of Saturday School

Toddler, Preschool & Kindergarten

Heidrun Hoffmann
Toddler Parent and Child Group

Rukshana Jeffrey
Preschool Play Group Bären

Negar Bagheri
Preschool Play Group Libellen

Nina Hipkins
Kindergarten Seelöwen

Antje Hipkins
Kindergarten Biber

Elementary School: DAF (German as a Foreign Language)

Hannah Grüll
Grade 1a
(DaF Level 1)

Edlyn Teske
Grade 2a
(DaF Level 2)

Manu Hipkins
Grade 3a
(DaF Level 3)

Tamara Stauch
Older Beginner Accelerated 1 (DaF)

Sevinj Kangarli
Older Beginner Accelerated 2 (DaF)

Aaron Clegg
Older Beginner Accelerated 3 (DaF)

Elementary School: DAZ (German as a Second Language)

Mattea Cevallos
Grade 1b
(DaZ Level 1)

Lisa Pallanch
Grade 2b
(DaZ Level 2)

Margit Mbouombouo
Grade 3b
(DaZ Level 3)

Anja Seibt
Grade 4
(DaZ Level 4)

Staff
Grade 4
(DaZ Level 4)

Ulla Yechale
Grade 6a
(DaZ Level 6)

Staff
Grade 6b
(DaZ Level 6)

Middle School

Evgenia Katsara
Grade 7
(Middle School German)

High School

Jasminka Banic
Grade 8
(German 3)

Conny Fiala
German 4 Honors (Grade 9)

Sarah Schuchard
German Language Research, Presentation, and Culture

Gabriele Hesse
AP German Language and Culture

Sarah Hesse
DSDI and DSDII

German Courses for Adults

Barbara Bird
Saturday German A1, Beginner course

Viola Plösser
Saturday German A2: Elementary

Ingo Feucht
Saturday German B1: Intermediate

Laleh Farpour-Engels

Saturday German B2: Advanced
Weeknight C1 Conversation Group

Jasminka Banic
Weeknight German

B2 Advanced
A2 Elementary
B1 Intermediate

Library on Saturdays - CLOSED for Fall 2020 due to COVID-19

Isolde Delling
Librarian

Stefi Ganesan
Librarian

Substitute Teachers

Karin Denson
Elementary School
Middle School
High School