Our School

Mission

The German Language School of Morris County (GLSMC) is dedicated to inspiring cultural understanding and to building bridges through immersion into the German language and culture in the heart of New Jersey. To our students of all ages and backgrounds, we are providing high-quality language instruction that is certified by the German government. We pride ourselves in maintaining a thriving community that shares a common interest in the German culture and that celebrates what it means to be a global citizen.

History

Since 1968, the GLSMC has been a vital part of the German-American community, providing an education for anyone interested in learning the German language and culture. In 1968, the school began with just 18 students. The School’s Chairman Ernst C. Scheja petitioned and was granted classroom space at Morristown High School from the Morris town Board of Education. In September 1969, 110 students began taking classes and the school became a tax-exempt 501(c )(3) non-profit organization in 1970. Over the years the program has grown with more than 200 students enrolled for the 2021 school year. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018 at Germania Park in Dover, NJ.

School Administration

Jutta Estevez

Principal

My name is Jutta Estevez. Originally from Germany, I relocated to the United States with my family in 2006. With 30 years of teaching experience, I have spent over a decade preparing students for the German Language Exam (DSD I and DSD II) at the German Language School of Morris County (GLSMC). In the past three years, I have also served as the vice-principal of the institution. In addition to my studies in Business Management, I hold accreditation from the Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA) for teaching and administering the DSD I and DSD II exams. My professional development includes advanced certifications from the Goethe-Institut, which are accredited by the University of Jena. Furthermore, I have participated in numerous seminars focused on teaching and classroom management, conducted by prestigious organizations such as the ZfA, ACTFL, NECTFL, and AATG. Beyond my professional endeavors, I cherish spending time with my family and pets, particularly my dogs. I have a keen interest in gardening and enjoy reading thrillers. Additionally, I take pride in being a puppy raiser for The Seeing Eye, where I help socialize future guide dogs.

Teachers

Our teachers are very experienced and frequently expanding their skills and knowledge.
Many of our teachers are native German speakers.
Continuous professional development through the ZfA, Goethe Institut and other accredited universities and organizations.
Our teachers are members of the AATG (American Association of Teachers of German), GLSC (German Language School Conference) and Forum Deutsch - staying up to date about the latest trends, best practices, and methods in language teaching.
Our teachers are trained to prepare students for the DSD exams, AP German Exam, as well as the National German Exam.

Almut Trinius

Teacher

I grew up in Porta Westfalica, which is something like Germany’s Delaware Water Gap. I moved to the US as a grad student, and that is also when I started giving German lessons. Now, I live with my husband and daughter in Jersey City. We’re happy to have found GLSMC, which our daughter has been attending since Musikgarten, and where I started to teach German as a foreign language teacher in 2023. I’m also a ceramist, and love spending my free time with my family. Other than that, I read, make music and hike.

Annette von Brandis

Teacher

I am Annette von Brandis. At GLSMC, the children call me "Frau Annette", because "von Brandis" is too complicated. I really enjoy teaching, I love children. Together we discover language, art and culture in a playful way. Professionally, I am also creative and have just completed my MFA. I like to spend my free time with my family, enjoy nature together and like to travel. I also keep up to date with the art scene.

Celeste Kaitsa

Teacher

My name is Celeste Kaitsa. I work for a law firm and have my own party planning business. My family is from Austria which I am going to visit in December. I love kids and I love teaching at the German School.

Dagmar Hobson

Teacher

Hello! I am Dagmar Hobson. I am a native German. My town in Germany is Hockenheim, near Mannheim and Heidelberg, home of the Hockenheimer Motodrom, site of annual Formula 1 championships. I moved to the US many years ago and raised my family here. I got my bachelor’s degree at Seton Hall University, majoring in Modern Languages – Spanish and French. (German was not available.) What do I like to do? I love spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren. My hobbies are reading (I try to alternate between English, German, French and Spanish to keep my language skills alive), watching Jeopardy on TV, crocheting, and one more thing - what was it again? Yes, I got it - teaching German at the German Language School!

Daniela Crofton

Teacher

My name is Daniela Crofton. I was born and raised outside Cologne, Germany. I have always enjoyed language arts. I went to school in Germany and German was one of my advanced classes (Leistungskurs) in high school. I went to law school at the University of Bonn in Germany and obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Pennsylvania. I worked as a corporate attorney both in Germany and the US. After having spent time in the US on and off for internships, studies and work since 2004, I moved here permanently in 2007. I have been speaking German to my three children since they were born because it is important to me to pass on the language and culture of my home country where the rest of my family still lives. When we are not working or at school, we keep ourselves very busy with sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

Dominique Kury

Teacher

I am Dominique Kury. In 2014, my husband and I embarked on an adventure and moved from Germany to the US. Together with our two daughters, our cat and two bunnies, we live in rural Hunterdon County. Seeing my kids enjoy going to GLSMC - together with my language skills and passion for working with children - made me decide to become a teacher at the school. As a family we love to spend our time outdoors, hiking and gardening. When we’re not outside we’re busy baking and doing crafts.

Elena Brooks

Teacher

My name is Elena Brooks. I am from Frankfurt am Main and have been living in the USA for over 15 years now. I studied German language and literature in Germany and work here in America at a high school as a German teacher. I have been teaching at GLSMC for many years. I have two children who are growing up (grew up?) bilingual and were or still are at our German School. In my free time I like to go hiking, I travel as often as possible and I love good food, books and movies

Ilona Magjuni

Teacher

My name is Ilona Magjuni. I grew up in Germany. I completed my German studies in my home country Kosovo. Happily married and mother of two sons - Gjon and Rron. I have a passion for languages and cultures. The education and upbringing of children is very important to me.

Ingrid Piersson-Massey

Teacher

My name is Ingrid Pierson-Massey and I'm originally from Austria and I've been living in America for about 19 years. In 2010 I became an active member of the GLSMC, with a few breaks in between. I studied literature in England and then did a teacher training course in Richmond, Virginia. My family and I live in Pittstown, New Jersey. We own a small farm with horses. Riding and horses are my hobby and have been my profession for a long time. Besides, we love to travel and visit some other cool country besides Austria every year.

Katja Mahabir

Teacher

My name is Katja Mahabir and I have been working at GLSMC for many years. I am originally from Jena in beautiful Thuringia and have been living in northern New Jersey for over 26 years now with my now 3 adult sons and my husband. In my free time I am an active marathon runner or you can see me out and about with my 2 dogs. I also work as a personal trainer and in the spring I am an official in athletics.

Lale Saatchi

Teacher

I am Lale Saatchi and I have been teaching German for 25 years, both at GLSMC and in the NJ public school system. I have been teaching students of different age levels and proficiency. I currently teach the Adult Intermediate Class. I like spending time with my adult daughters, travelling, trying out new recipes in the kitchen and am a big fan of British Detective Mysteries.

Margit Vollmar

Teacher

My name is Margit Vollmar. I was born and raised in Germany. My family, husband Patrick and daughter Clara relocated in 2016 from Germany to the United States. I joined three different kinds of exchange programs as a student. In my free time I love spending time with my family and friends exploring the U.S.!

Miriam Pohl

Teacher

Hi - I am Miriam Pohl. I am a native German speaker with an advanced degree from the University of Cologne in German literature and linguistics and specialized education methods. My academic interests include bilingual language acquisition and culture. I am also an Adjunct Instructor of German at Drew University in Madison. When I am not teaching, I spend my time exploring other countries with my 3 children.

Taja Feist

Teacher

Hello - my name is Taja Feist. I have been teaching children in the Pre-K age group at the German School for several years. I have five children of my own and I enjoy homeschooling them. I grew up in Germany, in Baden Württemberg in the Karlsruhe area. There I successfully completed my training as a physiotherapist and worked as a PT. Since 2009, I have lived in NJ with my husband, and I dedicate myself entirely to my vibrant family. My hobbies are: riding a bike, playing volleyball, and playing board games with family and friends.

Tanja Seegler-Ruiz

Teacher

My name is Tanja Seegler-Ruiz. I have been living in the USA with my family for 8 years. Our daughter was born here and attends GLSMC, where I have been teaching for two years. In my very limited free time, I like to read, visit exhibitions, play tennis or travel with my family.

Board Members

Christian Blanke

Treasurer

My name is Christian Blanke. Born in NYC, I was 2 years old when my parents decided to move back to Germany. I grew up in Marburg, the Ruhr area and Mannheim, and decided to move back to the USA for grad school in 2007. After meeting my wife Teresa, who grew up at the Jersey Shore, I had no choice but to move to NJ. We have three boys Theodor, Julian and Maximilian who all started attending GLSMC. We reside in Madison, NJ and are thankful for GLSMC. Having our children learn the German language and about German culture is important to us. More importantly, GLSMC offers a community for our children and us parents alike to experience both while making life-time friends. In my professional life I work on the investment team of a commercial real estate fund in NYC and am a CFA charterholder.

Dr. Stephan Schwander

Member of the Board

My name is Stephan Schwander. My daughter has been a student of the GLSMC from her Kindergarten days onwards. From the very beginning, I have been supporting GLSMC board, for some time as 2nd, then as 1st vice president and now as a trustee. The possibility for my daughter to learn German and participate in German cultural events in the US has been a major motivator for my volunteer activities at GLSMC. The GLSMC is a precious place that deserves support. I was born in Frankfurt/Germany and lived in Frankfurt and Hamburg until 1992, when I left Germany for academic research work on tuberculosis and AIDS in Uganda/East Africa. After my move into the USA in 1994, I continued research on tuberculosis and air pollution in Mexico City. I live in West Orange/NJ since 2006 and teach and continue with research at the Rutgers University School of Public Health.

Dr. Tani Fukui

President

Hallo! My name is Tani Fukui and I am very happy to be a part of the German Language School of Morris County community and serve the school as President of the Board. My daughter Mira has has been attending GLSMC since she was 2 years old. My German background comes from my mother - she immigrated from a small village in Nordrhein-Westfalen back in 1955. I spent many summers in Germany as a child and worked for a German consulting firm out of college. I grew up outside of Boston, but spent several years living in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington D.C. I also lived for a time in Singapore and Frankfurt as part of work transfers. My day job is as an economist for an insurance company near Morristown. Mira, my husband and I live in Morristown, NJ.

German Mixich

Fundraising/Giving

I am Germán Mixich. I hail from the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and it was there were I met my wife, Luciana. My first contact with the German language and culture was at the age of 6 when I started at Pestalozzi Schule in Buenos Aires. I had the privilege of learning three languages and developing a profound appreciation for the Argentinian and German cultures.Nicolas and Mathias, my sons, also attended the Pestalozzi Schule and during their time at school I could contribute to its growth and development as a Board of Management member for seven fulfilling years before we relocated to New Jersey in 2021. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my involvement in education and community engagement as a member of the Board. My professional background is in Business Administration, and in my leisure hours, I like road cycling and hiking in the great outdoors

Ira Swenson

Marketing/PR

Hallo! My name is Ira Swenson. I was born and raised in a tiny German village in the Harz mountains. When I was 19, I started to explore the world and eventually, on a 6 months work assignment to the US, met my (American) husband. We lived in Germany for a few years but eventually, our jobs brought us to New Jersey where we have since grown roots. Our son Jakob has been attending classes at GLSMC since Kindergarten. Wishing to give back and to help make the students’ time at German School a fun & culturally enriching experience, I got involved in the Board in 2017, and am currently responsible for our school's Marketing & PR efforts. When I am not busy at work as a Pilates Coordinator & Instructor, I love spending family time outside hiking, biking & travelling and being my son’s most passionate supporter at his baseball games (always cheering in German, of course!)

Matthias Norweg

Vice President

Hi, I am Matthias Norweg and I am the Vice President, focusing on the strategic development of our school and on building our community. I am very proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this amazing organization with a history of over 50 years. Born and raised in Frankfurt am Main, I moved to the US in 1999. My children Katherine and Thomas attended GLSMC for many years and Christian is still a student. In my daytime job I work in Corporate Development and Business Strategy for an electronics component company.

Roland Buchholz

Honorary Member of the Board

My name is Roland Buchholz and I am an Honorary Member of the Board. I was born in Tettnang am Bodensee and came to the US as a child. My professional work experience was largely in the electric utility industry. I initially joined the Board as a replacement for my wife, Lucia, who was recruited as a teacher for the school, a position she held for 20 years. I received BA and MBA degrees from Rutgers and an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) from Montclair State University. My family and I have enjoyed the personal enrichment and cultural awareness which our school promotes and excels in. Our daughters attended the GLSMC from 1st grade through completion of the Sprachdiplom level. Their German language proficiency gave them the confidence and qualification to spend a memorable year in Germany with the Congress/Bundestag exchange programs. The German Language School of Morris County has the reputation of being the premier German school in northern New Jersey. This is only made possible through the generous donation of volunteer time on behalf of the school by parents, a dedicated teaching staff, and administrators.

Stefan Eskandani

Member of the Board

My name is Stefan Eskandani and I have been serving the German Language School of Morris County in the position of a school Trustee. Being born in Oberhausen and raised in Siegen, Germany I started my work and life in the US back in 2007. My two children, Valencia and Maximilian started to attend the school at the age of 1 in the Musikgarten and have attended and enjoyed their time through the years in their classes ever since. I am truly thankful to have the chance by actively supporting the German Language and culture for my children as well as for the entire GLSMC community. Working in Technology Development and Transfer as the Project Manager for the US branch of a German Pharmaceutical company it is my devoted long-term interest to support the German Language for every family who shares this dedication.

Uta Wrackmeyer

Secretary

Hi, my name is Uta Wrackmeyer. My family and I moved from Berlin to New Jersey in summer 2021. Looking for a school where my kids can keep on learning especially German writing and grammar but also meeting other German speaking kids, we found the GLSMC. My children Arne and Elena joined this school in 2022. Running a school requires a lot of dedicated work behind the scenes and I am happy to help managing such tasks as well as implementing new ideas.