Frauke Graven – Teacher Spielgruppe/KiGa
Children build upon the language skills that have been introduced in the Spielgruppe. Games, songs, crafts, and role-play help to create a fun filled environment.
In this class, students are brought together to explore the German language in an age appropriate environment. Subjects taught include: letters and numbers, colors and shapes, seasons, holidays, months of the year, days of the week, family members, food, parts of the body, and many more.
At this level, students are at least five years old and are either enrolled during the week in a Kindergarten program or as first grade students. With differentiated instruction, each student is allowed to grow at his/her own pace. Each student is individually encouraged and stimulated to improve his/her own reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities.
Due to the small class size of 12 students maximum, our professional staff is able to establish a learner friendly atmosphere where students become active learners and are supported to reach their highest potential.
Uta Burke – Assistant Teacher Spielgruppe/KiGa
I grew up in Southern Germany between Stuttgart and Munich before marrying a GI and moving to the United States. Together we raised our daughter but are now empty nesters save for the time our grand puppy visits and then refuses to leave.
During the day I work full-time as an office manager for a Commercial real estate and investment firm in Woodbridge and at night and weekends I write Young Adult novels based on K-pop, as I am a huge fan of Stray Kids.
While working for Rutgers University before my department moved out of state, I received an email from the German Department about the Deutsche Sprachschule looking for teachers and assistants. I applied, planning to stay just one year. Eleven years later, I’m still here, inspired by my students, who remind me every Saturday to appreciate life’s little moments.
Besides writing, I enjoy going to the gym, animals, K-pop concerts and conventions, street photography in New York City, and my yearly visits to Germany.
Gabriele Hoffmann – Assistant Teacher Spielgruppe/KiGa
I was born in Germany, graduated from Studienstufe Dieburg in 1978, and subsequently studied Law at Goethe University in Frankfurt/Main until 1985, including a practical semester at the Frankfurt Regional Court. In 1986 – shortly after the Chernobyl disaster – I immigrated to the United States. At Monterey Peninsula College in California, my school transcripts were accepted as 120 college credits. I then worked as a German teacher, was promoted to Language Lab Supervisor in 1987, and was eventually appointed Test Examiner for the US Army at Fort Ord, California. In 1990, my husband was transferred back to Germany. There I worked as a fully licensed business manager for HIB Immobilien und Bauträger GmbH, serving as sole Managing Director for 2 years. After my divorce, I returned to the United States. Since my current husband frequently had to relocate for work, I raised my children while working at various companies, including in accounting at Majestics in Florida, as Office Manager at GFA in Pittsburgh, PA, and as Secretary at Vickers etc. In Danvers, Massachusetts, I worked as an ESL teacher.
Anisha McLeod – Teacher Level 1A – Heritage Track
Born and raised in Hannover, Germany, I bring both international experience and a deep connection to German language and culture into my classroom.
From 2008 to 2016, I worked in management at McDonald’s, first as an Associate Manager and later as a Restaurant Manager. During this time, I developed strong leadership, organizational, and team-building skills. Motivated to pursue my passion for education, I went on to complete a dual-subject Bachelor’s degree in Education (English and Economics).
In 2017, immediately after graduating, I moved to Kuwait where I worked for four years as an ESL teacher and homeroom teacher. Teaching abroad was a transformative experience. While adapting to a new culture was initially challenging, it became one of the most rewarding chapters of my professional journey and strengthened my ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
In 2021, I moved to the United States. Alongside working as an Operations Manager in my husband’s business and gaining experience in the banking sector at Wells Fargo, I continued to expand my creative and organizational skills by designing and producing merchandise.
Since 2023, I have been teaching at the German School, where my primary focus is on developing students’ writing and speaking abilities. I aim to create a fully immersive environment by conducting my classes primarily in German. Integrating German traditions, cultural topics, and real-life language use into my lessons is especially important to me, as I believe language learning is most meaningful when connected to culture.
In my free time, I enjoy crafting, gardening, traveling, and exploring new cultures — passions that continually inspire my teaching.
Wilma Nisler – Teacher Level 1 – DaF Track (German as a second language)
Simple reading and writing are introduced to the students. Listening and speaking skills are expanded to develop confidence in speaking German. Group activities and games encourage students to speak in phrases. Vocabulary growth is developed through creative projects like arts and crafts. Special holidays and events in German speaking countries are celebrated.
Anja Pomaski – Teacher Level 2A – Heritage Track
The total language immersion process is continued at this level. Students continue to build upon their speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension skills obtained in the previous level. Students practice their writing through guided essay and poetry activities, incorporate new grammar skills, and actively engage in reading activities to optimize their learning experience. Communication language competencies are enhanced and practiced. Cultural projects, age appropriate games, and choral performances play an important role in this course.
Stephanie Borkowski – Teacher Level 2 – DaF Track (German as a second language)
Guten Tag! My name is Stephanie Borkowski. I am a New Jersey native who developed a passion for the German language and culture from taking German class throughout high school and obtained a BA in German Language & Literature at Rutgers University. Having studied abroad twice at Freie Universität in beautiful Berlin and having visited a variety of other German cities, Germany feels like my second home. As a teacher, I strive to guide students in discovering their own connection to the German language and culture. I utilize various teaching mediums and promote supplemental learning materials to encourage young learners to incorporate the language into their personal interests (e.g., art, creative writing, gaming, sports) while providing a structured and supportive environment. In addition to teaching, I enjoy traveling, fitness, exploring nature, photography, and reading.
Christian Hoffman – Teacher Level 3A – Heritage Track
My name is Christian Hoffmann. I grew up in Germany, Spain and Switzerland. My parents are German – from Berlin – but I am Swiss. I have always loved languages, and being Swiss I had the privilege to (be forced to) become fluent in German, Italian and French. After having worked in Germany, Russia and Switzerland I was transferred to the US in 2021. My two children visited the Public Schools in New Jersey. They are bilingual with German and I know very well what it means to learn a foreign language fluently in a non native speaking environment. I hold a Bachelor from University of Zurich and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, playing racket sports or tending to my roses. I am also an avid reader and love all sorts of music (SKA, Jazz, classical music).
Natasha Pomaski – Teacher 4
My name is Natasha Marie Pomaski (Frau Pomaski). I am a native speaker of German and an alumna of the German Language School of Union County. After having completed the exam for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom II (The German Language Diploma II), I was the assistant teacher for the Spielgruppe (Preschool) here at the German Language School before moving to Germany to study linguistics, literature, and education. I ultimately earned my Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Australia following an incredible study abroad experience.
My teaching philosophy is that learning should be fun and done with a smile! My class will be conducted exclusively in German as we will be focusing on practicing German speaking and listening skills. Mistakes will happen and will simply be viewed as opportunities to learn something new!
I am excited for the upcoming school year and look forward to getting to know each of your children and nurturing their German linguistic and cultural curiosities!
Donya Ravasani – Teacher Level 5
My name is Donya Ravasani. Originally from Germany, I have been living in New Jersey for many years and feel deeply connected to the German-speaking community here in the US. I have been teaching at the German School of Union County since 2019, across a range of levels, from early childhood language immersion to upper-level classes, where I prepare both heritage speakers and German language learners for exams such as the Deutsche Sprachdiplom (DSD I and II), the AP German Language and Culture Exam, and the AATG. Before coming to teaching, I worked for many years as a cultural editor for ZDF and 3sat, the joint broadcaster of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – an experience that deepened my ties to the broader German-speaking world. I am committed to ongoing professional development and am currently completing a teacher training program for online instruction at the Goethe-Institut USA.
Teaching German in the US feels like a way of staying connected to where I come from and passing that connection on.
Christina Schumacher – Substitute Teacher Level 3, 4, 5
My name is Christina Schumacher and I am a substitute teacher at DSSUC, working with levels 3, 4, and 5.
I moved to New Jersey from Berlin in the summer of 2023. In Germany, I worked as a freelance translator and interpreter for German, Russian, and English. After beginning my work as a substitute teacher in the United States, I quickly discovered that teaching felt far more inspiring and fulfilling to me.
This experience inspired me to apply to a German language school so that I could stay connected to the German language and culture. One thing led to another, and this path eventually brought me to the German School of Union County.
I believe that effective teaching means engaging students through lively and varied lessons that spark their curiosity. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the sparkle in students’ eyes when they make progress and a new concept suddenly clicks into place.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing chess and volleyball, cooking, and traveling with my husband and our three kids.
I look forward to many engaging lessons with my students, to introducing them to new and exciting topics, and to learning from one another along the way.