German School Association

Teaching Staff

Now accepting applications for new teachers

Sylke Hergt

KG – Kindergarten German Learners

Sylke Hergt was born and raised in Germany. She worked as a secretary at a petroleum company for many years, and later as a store manager at a drugstore company. In October of 2022 Sylke moved to St. Louis to live with her daughter and family, including two grandsons (2 and 4 years old), supporting them in their bilingual learnings. She is very excited to start teaching at the German School Association.

Desiree Gammons

KB – Kindergarten Bilingual Students

Lara Marco Marquez

A1.1 Children Class

Lara Marco Marquez was born in Munich but raised in Seattle. Growing up, Lara always spoke German at home and attended the German School in Seattle where she received her DSD II Diploma. She now studies Biology - Neuroscience and Global Health at Washington University.

Victoria Rust

A1.2 Children Class

Victoria Rust grew up in Minsk, Belarus. She developed a passion for foreign cultures and thirst for travel while translating for American and German missionaries in her home country. After studying in Germany and the Netherlands, Victoria settled in Missouri, USA where she received her PhD in German and Comparative Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. Rust has taught at the university level for the last 12 years, and is currently working on a book. She is excited to join the German School Association and connect with its bright students. In her free time, Victoria enjoys exploring beautiful nature around the world. Hiking in Iceland and Germany with her husband and sampling international delicacies with their four children are definite favorites!

Kristina Chambers

A2.1 Children Class

Kristina grew up in Wuppertal, Germany. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in International Business and Management at Hochschule Osnabrück, she moved to New York City. There, she worked at the German American Chamber of Commerce and later at an international financial advisory firm with exposure to Frankfurt. Kristina recently moved to St. Louis with her husband, two daughters and their German Shepherd. She is excited about the opportunity to use and teach the German language to a new generation of students.

Debbie Lund

A2.2 Children Class

Debbie Lund holds an MA and PhD in Germanic Languages & Literatures from Washington University. She studied one year at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg while an undergraduate at Oberlin College (Ohio), and another at Eberhard-Karls-Universität in Tübingen while working on her doctoral exams. She taught as a visiting Asst. Professor at Union College in Schenectady, NY. After returning to St. Louis, she worked in the marketing department of the St. Louis Public Library for five years before taking the opportunity to teach German in high school. She taught at Ladue High School for over 20 years and enjoys teaching the adult A2.2 class on Saturday mornings.

Giulia Kaufman

B1 Children Class

Giulia is from Saarland, the smallest state in Germany. Giulia first came to the United States as a high school exchange student. After receiving her Abitur, she emigrated to the U.S. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Linguistics. Since 2019, Giulia has been teaching German to all age groups, ranging from infants to adults. A recent transplant from Anchorage, Alaska to St. Louis, Giulia is looking forward to working at GSA and getting to know the international and intercultural community in the St. Louis area. Giulia enjoys spending quality time with her family, sewing, and cooking.

Carmen Freeman

B2 Children Class

Carmen Freeman is from Heidenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Technology from the Technological University of Munich-Freising, and spent 9 years working for an international company making flavors for food. Since 2002, Carmen has been teaching at the German School and has also served as its principal. She is currently the lead teacher. In addition to English, Carmen also speaks French. Her favorite hobbies are gardening with native plants, practicing the guitar, reading biographies and knitting.

Eric Hasselschwert

A1.1 Adult Class, Saturday

Eric Hasselschwert is originally from Toledo, Ohio and has taught German in public and private schools for 30 years. He has a B.A. and an M.A. in German Language and Literature from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and also studied Germanistik at the Universität Salzburg. He just retired from the Kirkwood School District. In his free time, he enjoys model building, traveling, bowling, singing, playing the bassoon and working out in the gym.

Dennis Krueger

A2.1 Adult Class, Saturday

Dennis Krueger comes from St. Louis and holds B.A., M.A. and PhD degrees in German Literature. He studied at Notre Dame University, St. Louis University, the University of Freiburg in Breisgau, and at Northwestern University. Dennis taught German at the college level for eight years and is fluent. He is a retired potter, amateur furniture maker and is interested in Archaeology, Paleontology and the history of Science. Dennis has 7 stepchildren and 13 grandchildren.

Marie Keath

B1 Adult Class, Saturday

Marie Keath learned German while living in Cologne, Germany where she was completing a Business Internship through the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft. She holds a BA in German, post-degree Teaching Certification, and a BS in Business Administration. She taught German to Middle Schoolers for 12 years at Ladue Middle School and is currently selling real estate and flipping homes. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, Pilates and home improvement projects.

Astrid Block

C1 Adult Class, Saturday

Astrid Block is from Grevenbroich, Germany. She holds an M.B.A. from the Keller Graduate School of Management. In addition to German, Astrid also speaks English, French and Italian. Her interests and hobbies include gymnastics and running.

Russ Leonard

A1.1 Adult Class, Thursday

Russ Leonard graduated with a degree in German Studies from Montana State University in Bozeman and has also studied Education at Washington University in St. Louis. He now lives in St. Louis where he grew up. In addition to German, Russ has also studied Latin, Homeric Greek and Italian. In addition to teaching, Russ works as a musician and composer.

Giulia Kaufman

A1.2 Adult Class, Thursday

Sydney Norton

B1 Adult Class, Thursday

Sydney Norton grew up in New York City and has lived in St.Louis for over twenty years. She received her doctorate in German literature and cultural studies from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, where she specialized in the visual and performing arts of the Weimar Republic. In addition, she has lived, studied, and conducted research in Freiburg, Constance, Regensburg, and Berlin. With many years of college teaching experience, Sydney is passionate about teaching all levels of German language and culture to adults. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, gardening, hiking, and taking road trips with her family.