Kids Garden of Languages International Preschool Team: 

                                                                                    

Elke Schweigert Miller >> Owner/Founder/Executive Director

Hello and welcome to Kigala. My name is Elke Miller. I was born and raised in Munich, Germany and came to Los Angeles in 1989 to study International sales and Marketing. I was recruited as the Liaison for International Offices by a business in Marina Del Rey and was a key player in starting up a contracting corporation where I became the Director of Finance. I have devoted the last eight years of my life to the development of Kigala International Preschool and the Goethe International Charter School. I live with my two little girls, who are both bi-lingual, and my husband Philip, a producer, writer and Emmy nominated editor of a children’s TV series, in Venice Beach, CA. I am very active in the German Community and have founded a German Community network group, Deutsche Gemeinde LA or “German Community LA” and organize events for families, children and women, as a member of the German-American Club of Santa Monica. I am the founder/president of Kigala Preschool as well as the founder/board president of Goethe International Charter School (see details under news and links) and a board member of Friends of Goethe (supporting the Goethe Institute of Los Angeles). I love hanging out with my family and friends, and to go rollerblading and skiing. Hope to see you soon at Kigala, Goethe International Charter School or one of our many fun events.

Mercy Batres >> Teacher Spanish Program/Site Director

Hello, I am Mercy and I received my degree in Early Childhood Education from National University. I also have a special needs certificate with a variety of disabilities as well as techniques for challenging behavioral certification. I have been working with preschool age children for more than 17 years. I love working with children and their families. I believe that each child is unique no matter what background or disability they may have and that they need to be treated with respect and love. Therefore, I love to give them my full attention and care in any way possible ensuring their welfare and safety and treat/teach each child as one of mine own. I'm proud to be part the of KIGALA team.

 

Jessy Morales >> Teacher/Spanish Program/Atelierista

Hola to everyone, my name is Jessy Chaheme-Morales.  I have been working with children & families for over fifteen years in both private & public schools.  I'm passionate about working with children, and always encourage their sense of wonder.  I have a certificate in Child Development; as well as a B.A. in Liberal Arts- with a concentration in Child Studies.  I am currently in Graduate School for Psychology.  I have been married for 14 years, and have three children ages, 13, 7, & 2.  My hobbies include; creative writing, poetry, art, & music.  I look forward to working with all of you.

 

Nadine Bahr >> Teacher German Program/Administration Assistant

Hello, I am Nadine Bahr. I am from Hamburg, Germany. I came to the United States to pursue my degree in Early Childhood Education. I hold an AA degree from IVC and have plans on furthering my education. Currently, I take classes at Santa Monica College and Reggio Emilia courses as often as possible. I work with the 4 year olds. My favorite thing to do with the children is build structures with recyclable materials. I enjoy my time at Kigala helping the children with their kindergarten readiness skills. When I am not in the classroom, I like to take walks by the beach, and sew handbags and clothes!

Doreen Dessee >> Teacher German Program

I am Doreen.  I was born and raised in Germany and worked there as a certified Preschool teacher. I continue to pursue my education and I am currently taking Early Childhood Education classes at SMC. When you come to Kigala you can find me in the "Spatzen" class in the toddler program. I love singing and dancing with my little spatzen.

Jacky Etaat >> Teacher German Program

Hello, my name is Jacky! I was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany and moved to Los Angeles about 22 years ago. I grew up bilingual (Farsi/German) and am raising my own children to be bilingual as well. I can relate very well to the challenges and rewards this opportunity brings to the students at Kigala. I am married and have three children. I always had a passion for children, and after finishing my studies in Early Childhood Education, followed my dream to work with children. I believe children are like flowers. As a teacher I believe you can make all these little flowers bloom.

Susi Fimpel >> Teacher/Spanish and German Program

Hello! I am Susi. I was born in Juelich, Germany. I have been traveling all over the world for the last 17 years. I live in Los Angeles with my husband and have 3 children. I am certified preschool teacher from SMC. I plan to continue my education taking Early Childhood Education classes and Reggio classes. I am a very nurturing teacher and like to bring out the children's creativity by offering novel learning experiences. I also have a passion for language development and how children acquire it. In my spare time I like to do crafts at home. I speak French, English, German, and now I am learning a bit of Spanish!

Susanne Wilson >> Substitute Teacher

My name is Susanne Wilson. I am originally from Hamburg, Germany, but I have been living in the United States for 29 years. I live in Santa Monica with my husband and two children. I am a certified Early Childhood teacher and I work in the toddler program with my partner, Doreen. My favorite things to do with the toddlers are: read books, play with balls, and do dramatic play.



 

Lyda Eddington >> Music Specialist

My name is Lyda! I am a Master Level Orff Schulwerk music teacher, harp therapist, and HealthRhythms Drum Circle Facilitator. I have been teaching Early Childhood music classes in preschools in West Los Angeles for the past eight years, and teaching music and drama to grades KG through 5th at New Roads Elementary School. I received my Early Childhood Education Certification from Loyola Marymount University. I play the harp, piano, flute, guitar, and banjo in addition to pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments. I love singing and dancing with the wonderful children and teachers at Kigala!



Joclynn and Eric >> Movement Specialists >> Leapz n Boundz

Eric Amundson: Eric graduated from Southern University with a B.A. in biology.  He has been active in a variety of competitive sports starting at a young age, focusing primarily on Acro-Gymnastics.  As team captain for the Andrews University Gymnics, Eric grew passionate about the sport.  After graduation in 1998, he went on to coach numerous youth sports teams and continued performing worldwide for Cirque Productions.
 
Eric arrived in Los Angeles in 2001, and began coaching children with special needs. It was soon apparent that Eric had found his calling. He was quickly promoted to program director and helped expand the company throughout Southern California and Arizona.  Eric was also a crucial part of the team that developed the training programs which continued to support his strong convictions about health and well being.  He believes that a healthy mind and body are imperative to having a well-rounded lifestyle.
 
Eric is a man who continues to challenge his clients by helping them look “beyond the boundaries.”  He says, “Creating Leaps…n…Boundz has given me the opportunity to give back and pass along the wonderful, imaginative and active experiences I benefited from.” Together with partner Joclynn Benjamin, Leaps…n…Boundz, is successfully creating programs that empower children to work beyond their boundaries.
 
Joclynn Benjamin: Some people sit on the sidelines and watch.  Other people get in the game and play.  Joclynn Benjamin not only gets in the game, she coaches the team.
 
Joclynn’s education and experience had prepared her to make a difference in the lives of the families she works with.  She has a B.A. in Family and Consumer Science from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis in Child Development and Family Studies, and has spent the last 13 years working in gymnastics and adaptive services.  She has worked with “special needs children” whose diagnoses include Autism, ADHA, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blind, Deaf and Aspergers.
 
Joclynn has developed and implemented new programs, hired, trained and supervised staffs in nineteen facilities in California and Arizona.  These are the skills that would help she and Eric Amundson make Leaps…n…Boundz more than a dream.

Anne Erbe-Kloo>> Program consultant

Anne is a German native who has lived in Los Angeles for the past 20 years.  She is the director of the California Kids Development Center, a Preschool through Elementary school, with 130 enrolled students. She has both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, with 27 years of teaching and administrative experience. She lives with her husband and two sons.