OUR STAFF
Constanze Heitkoetter
Born and raised in Hagen, Germany, I received my Master of Business Administration at the University of Bamberg and worked in the IT industry in Munich before starting a family and moving to Austin in 2003. Here, I reconnected with my first love, the German language, teaching in the Saturday School Program at GTHS for 10 years before becoming a German instructor for teen, homeschool and adult classes and obtaining my certification from the federal Goethe Institut.
I found great joy and purpose in teaching young children during my full-time employment at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Early Childhood Center in Cedar Park and - recognizing the importance of the formative years in early childhood education - opened a small child care program in the nurturing setting of our home and beyond.
With two bilingual children of my own, I understand the many wonderful opportunities and benefits as well as the challenges of raising children bilingually in our modern and diverse society.
As GIS Director, I am excited to put my experience and passion to work while serving the families in our program and building a safe and loving learning community in which each individual child can grow and flourish.
In my personal life and at work, I enjoy books, art, music, nature, and the great outdoors.
Annette Barrada
Pre-K Teacher
Hallo und Guten Tag, my name is Annette and I am a German native.
I have been working with children ages 3 to 6 in a preschool setting since 1998 and teach German to preschool students at the German Texan Heritage Society in Austin since 2006. For 7 years, I worked in a Special-Education classroom for Pflugerville ISD with children of different ages and various disabilities.
I am a mother of two bilingually raised children who are all grown up now. I get to relive the experience of when they were little by giving my love to the toddlers and children that I take care of.
I am excited to teach the German Pre-school class at the German International School of Texas at Austin.
Pearl Gardner
I'm Pearl Rabiaa Gardner.
I was born in Morocco and grew up in Germany. So my German language skills are that of a native speaker. I also speak Arabic.
I taught German and Arabic for Texas Central College in Germany and have been an educator for many years.
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Through my work as a RDI Extender ( Relationship Development Intervention) a program to assist parents with their children, with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), I've learned to handle many difficult situations and feel apt to handle anything life throws at me.
Carola Lofton
I’ve taught since March 2022 adult and teenager classes for the GTHS, and serve clients also as a private tutor. I have also taught younger kids at the German Preschool in Austin.
My teaching style is motivating and encouraging with my own enthusiasm for the German language. I supplement the current course books with original material and offer my students authentic German sources including videos, podcasts, songs, and literature.
I grew up in Southern Germany and earned a Master’s Degree in German linguistics and literature from the University in Heidelberg, Germany. After university, I worked for 6 years as an editor, copywriter and proofreader. I studied Latin, French and Italian, and I’m excited about learning new languages. I have traveled for several years and worked with people all over the world, before finding my current home in Texas in 2019. Being an expat myself, I understand the cultural differences between the US and Germany and bring this awareness into my lessons. I also know from personal experience the benefits of language immersion and surrounding yourself with authentic sources from the beginning while diving with curiosity into the beauty and richness of a new language and culture.
Ines Mosley
Pre-K Teacher
I am excited to be a part of the German-Texan Heritage Society and the German International School of Texas.
I moved to Austin in 2009 and now live in Hutto with my 9 year old daughter. I love teaching the German language, the German culture and its traditions. I started teaching the Samstags Vorschule in 2017 and now teach the PreK class at the German International School of Texas.
I was born and raised in East Germany and moved later to Hamburg and Munich where I worked for Euler Hermes Kreditversicherung for more than 10 years.
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I also own a Catering business, which has been growing over that last decade.
Rina Muzlijaj
Aftercare Teacher
Hallo, my name is Rina and I became an Aftercare Teacher at the German International School in April 2024. Although new to teaching, I bring a wealth of experience as a nurse and former nanny, where I have honed my skills in providing care and support to children. My background has equipped me with strong communication, empathy, and organizational skills, which I am eager to apply in the classroom setting. I am committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for the German language and culture.
I grew up in Bremen, Germany and have lived in Zurich, Switzerland before I made the exciting move to Texas in 2022. I live in Elgin with my husband and daughter, who is being raised bilingually, further reinforcing my passion for promoting multiculturalism and language diversity in education.
Christopher Markley
Servus Y’all –
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I’m married to Manuela Markley (German native) and have two adult daughters Saskia and Svenja (both German-Texan). I’m a native Texan, grew up in Lockhart, Texas and have lived in the Austin area for 20+ years. I can trace my family to one of the “Old Eighteen” defenders of the Gonzales cannon who died defending the Alamo, Jacob Darst. The only break in not living in the Austin area was from 2012 – 2015, when we moved to Munich, Germany where I worked for O2 / Telefonica Germany, similar to Verizon here in the USA. I understand and speak German and some Bayerish. I have a degree from Texas State and an MBA focused in International Business.
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Fun Fact most don’t know: I collect sand from any new place I visit. My collection has over 500 unique places all over the world and continues to grow, either collected by me or friends that know about my passion. Some people collect souvenir coffee mugs or t-shirts on their travels, while I gather sand or as my children call it: DIRT