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.
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.
Ines Mosley
Lead Teacher for Pre-K
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.
Meike Stranahan
Pre-K Teacher
Meike was born and raised in Celle near Hannover, Germany. The first three years of her life she spent in Buenos Aires, Argentina before moving back to Germany until coming to Austin, Texas when she was only 10 years old. She went to Bowie High school and got her associates in Travel and Tourism from ACC.
As a mom of two German-Texan children whom she homeschooled for the last 18 years she’s now ready to teach the next generation. In her spare time, Meike has helped start an all girls BSA scouting troop with her daughter and has countless volunteer hours with the scouts. She is CPR and First Aid certified and is absolutely delighted to be a part of your child's learning journey. Meike feels honored and humbled to be trusted with this precious time of your little ones and can't wait to pour her heart into their little lives!
Rina Lee
Pre-K 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.
Hayley Derryberry
Pre-K Teacher
Hayley is a dedicated early childhood educator at the German International School of Austin, bringing a rich blend of academic expertise, cultural passion, and nurturing care to her classroom. A cum laude graduate from the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Arts in Germanic Studies, Hayley also holds an Associate of Arts in Theater. Her academic achievements include the prestigious Prahl Fellowship, membership in the National German Honors Society, and a Certificate of Excellence in German from the Goethe Institute in Washington, D.C. As a teaching assistant for German 101 at UMD and president of the university’s German Club, she developed a deep commitment to fostering language and cultural appreciation.
Hayley’s love for German culture began in childhood with Swiss chocolates sent by her aunt in Liechtenstein and grew through a high school exchange year in Erfurt, Germany. She later served three years as marketing coordinator for Alpine Village in Torrance, California, a German cultural hub hosting the West Coast’s largest Oktoberfest.
As a mother to her daughters, Billie Jean and Emmalene, who attend GIS, Hayley brings empathy and patience to her teaching,. With a decade of experience as a professional actor and filmmaker in film and television, she infuses her classroom with creativity, fostering wonder and exploration through play-based learning. Hayley believes emotional health is the foundation of early education, ensuring children thrive as curious, confident learners. Her joyful, inclusive approach creates a warm, nurturing environment where every child can grow into their best self.
Madelyn McCollough
Pre-K Teacher
Originally from Connecticut, my interest in the German language and culture sprang from an opportunity to learn German after school when I was 15, which allowed me to gather more about my heritage by acquainting myself with my great-grandmother’s culture. Though I have always been captured by language-learning, I quickly became enamored with the German language in a way that other languages had not managed. After studying independently for some time, I went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in German Language and Cultural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh (May 2023) and soon thereafter found myself in Austin pursuing a Master’s Degree in German Literature and Culture (May 2025).
I discovered my enthusiasm for working with children at the age of 10, when my little brother was born. Even at this young age, I delighted in helping to take care of him, and later, my sister (born when I was 13). I started working with children in an official capacity at 15 years old, when I became a camp counselor– though I was already an experienced babysitter by that time. During college, I worked as an assistant teacher in a child care center, where I continued honing my ability to work with children. Since then, I have worked primarily with college-aged students, teaching both content- and German-language courses. I very much look forward to melding these two life-long passions as I integrate into the community at GIS.
Josephine Sand
Pre-K Teacher
I was born in Germany and raised in Austin, Texas, where I am now pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and ESL Generalist at UT.
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My inspiration for teaching came from the dedicated bilingual teachers who guided me through my schooling. Their patience and expertise fueled my desire to become an educator who brings confidence and curiosity to every child. Since graduating from high school, I have begun my teaching journey by becoming a color guard technician, where I work with students of all ages to develop teamwork, discipline, and creativity.
I am thrilled to be part of the team at the German International School, and am excited to be in an engaging and inclusive learning environment where I can share my passion for 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