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meet our staff
Meet Our International Preschool Staff!
Multi-lingual and experienced in immersion teaching, the staff of Kigala Preschool are ready to introduce your child to the world of language.
Elke Miller
Director
Born and raised in Munich, Germany, Kigala’s visionary pioneer arrived in the United States, business educated and experienced, to further her studies in International Sales & Marketing at UCLA.
“Hello and welcome to Kigala Preschool. My name is Elke Miller, and since 1999, I have devoted my life to the development of Kigala International Preschool. The experience of raising two bilingual daughters, planted the unique seed that has now blossomed into Kigala: a Kids Garden of Language. As we continue to grow and bloom, come grow with us and bloom. We hope to see you soon!”
Eager to employ this expanded international business knowledge and expertise, Elke was promoted from Executive Assistant to Operations and Finance Director, assisting in the start-up and operation of government contracting engineering companies. With duties spanning from liaising between teams for international government projects (Germany, Austria, Thailand, USA), through to implementing procedure and quality assurance for government contracting, Elke’s efforts impacted company profit reports to reflect record growth in record time.
When Elke looked for an international and multi-lingual school environment with project-based learning for her two daughters, she was surprised at the minimal choices available. While working in government contracting, Elke returned to college to expand her skillset in Early Childhood Education. She holds a California State Permit as Master Teacher and Site Supervisor. As an international business marketer and educator, Elke’s sights were clear and focused on international education, the importance of bilingual education based on the emergent curriculum, starting from the preschool level.
Channeling this purpose and drive, Elke began first hand, in-person research and observation of American and international immersion schools. This journey led her to visualize, found, and develop Kigala Preschool and Goethe International Charter School.
Starting as a German immersion playgroup for children ages 2-6, Elke founded and developed KindergartenLA, which grew and metamorphosed into KIGALA International Preschool: A KIds GArden of LAnguages (KIGALA is an abbreviation of A KIds GArden of LAnguages).
The vision for an international, multi-lingual, and emergent based school setting did not stop at the preschool level. With Kigala developing as a high-quality student learning environment, Director Elke pinpointed her attention to international and multilingual education at the elementary level and provided successful leadership in charter development, approval of a charter application, and recently renewal for Goethe International Charter School, Los Angeles, today a K-5 elementary school with approx. 350 students.
In addition to the international approach in a project-based learning environment, Elke strongly believes that children and adults of all ages need to be exposed to nature. Because of this, Elke added the “outdoor classroom training” to her early childhood education. She was able to locate a desirable facility, which has been transformed into a magical place with a rich outdoor classroom environment in an urban setting.
Elke is the founder and Executive Director at Kigala, remains Founder and Board President of Goethe, and is very active within the German-American Community. She founded the network groups in Los Angeles such as “German Community LA” (Deutsche Gemeinde LA) and supported event organization for the German-American Club of Santa Monica. As a businesswoman, Elke is a member of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and a member of numerous educational organizations, including the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC), North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) and Task Force City of Santa Monica, Early Childhood Education.
In the spirit of learning and the always-inquiring mind, Director Elke believes the truth is seen through the lens of the student – a fact she experiences and is amazed by every day.
Sandi
Director Assistant
“Working with young children and their families is the greatest job in the world.”
For over 25 years Sandi has worked with young children as a teacher and administrator. She was owner and director of a small private preschool in Venice, CA while she raised her two daughters. After almost twenty years as Director, Sandi decided to sell her school and return to college to finish her education. She has an AA in Early Childhood Education from Santa Monica College, a Certificate in Parent Education and Training from UCLA Extension, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Antioch University in 2017.
Sandi joined the Kigala team in May of 2018, as Assistant Director.
David
Operations Manager
“I have been teaching for over nine years and love what I am doing. My wife and I are getting ready to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and we have two grown children. My oldest son is a medical researcher and my youngest son is studying at Cal State Fullerton. I love to play soccer and I am a referee on the weekends”.
David is excited to join the Kigala community after spending many years in the restaurant industry including over ten years as general manager at TGIFridays. He found a passion for working with children and switched careers.
Nadine
Teacher, German Program & Assistant Director
“I enjoy my time at Kigala, working predominantly with the 4-5 year olds, and helping them with their kindergarten readiness skills. I enjoy the opportunity to be a teacher, but also being part of the administration team. When not in the classroom, I enjoy taking long walks on the beach, and being crafty”.
A native of Hamburg, Germany, Nadine arrived in the United States in 1999 to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Now holding an AA degree from IVC Irvine Valley College and a Level 1 Certificate of the Outdoor Classroom (Kigala is one of the few Certified Outdoor Classroom Demonstration sites in Santa Monica). Teacher Nadine is continually seeking to further her education, and will continue taking admin classes, and is currently focusing her attention to expand her knowledge about the constructivism approach and how to work with special needs children.
Sofia
Teacher, Spanish Program & Pedagogical Facilitator
“I am proud to be a part of the Kigala Preschool community.”
Born in Mexico City, Educator Sofia holds twelve years of experience working with children 2.5- 5 years old in the Reggio Emilia Approach. Growing up as a product of Mexico City and the Los Angeles public schools, Sofia now holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Child and Adolescent Development, Associate in Arts with Honors, and Certificate Early Childhood Education Teacher.
Doreen
Teacher, German Program
“I love working with children, because I am amazed by the difference how every single child learns and develops. My mission is to support and encourage children’s language skills by learning through singing, playing and of course having conversations. When I am not at KIGALA I love playing with my son, and do some painting.”
Teacher Doreen was born and raised in Berlin, Germany were she also studied Early Childhood Education. Doreen has been involved in the field of education for over 15 years. This is Teacher Doreen’s 12th year at Kigala. Immigrating to the United States, Teacher Doreen brought her international talents to Kigala and acquired her teacher certification for the US at Santa Monica College. Her youngest son is a Kigala alumnus and loved every single day there.
Evelyn
Teacher, Spanish Program
“¡Hola! I absolutely take pleasure in working with children. I believe as educators we are here to help them grow and communicate with the world using their potential, strengths, and languages. I especially love sharing my culture and knowledge of Spanish with the children. Besides working with preschoolers I enjoy spending time with my family and more importantly traveling to Mexico.”
Teacher Evelyn of Mexican roots and extremely proud of it was born in Los Angeles, California. Growing up her primary language was Spanish. She has been in the Early Childhood Education field for nearly 5 years and loving every single minute of it. Evelyn began as a Teacher’s Aid and gradually started growing in the field with experience. She holds an AA in Liberal Arts and continues to take early childhood education courses.
Jessy
Atelierista & Teacher, Spanish Program
“I love working at Kigala and am passionate about working with children and their families!”
Jessy joined Kigala Preschool as the first Spanish teacher nine years ago. Due to her passion for art, Jessy became the art studio teacher at Kigala. She believes in sparking children’s creativity by providing an abundance of material for them while they create and learn through play.
Jessy has been working with children in both public and private settings for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a Minor in Art, as well as, a Masters Degree in Psychology.
Jessy’s family originally comes from Guadalajara, Mexico. She has three lovely daughters who are all bilingual.
James
Outdoor Classroom Teacher
“I consider working with children as a calling that I take seriously. When I’m not working, I’m riding my motorcycle, reading books that help sculpt my mind, writing and enjoying the company of great people.”
A native to Los Angeles,Teacher James has been working in the Early childhood setting for nearly twenty years. Teacher James holds a wide range of teacher certificates, from completing multiple courses at West Los Angeles Community College. This has allowed him to gain experience teaching in both public programs and private preschool settings. Teacher James brings his background of working with special needs children ranging from down syndrome, autism, and ADHD.
Simone
Teacher, German Program
“Grüezi! I believe that play is very important in fostering language and social-emotional development in young children. I strive to provide safe and rich learning experiences for each child to learn about themselves and discover the world around them, all within the joy of play.”
Teacher Simone has been working with young children for over 20 years. She holds a business degree in the book trade, a degree in elementary music education from the Academy of Music in Basel, studied early childhood education at Santa Monica College, and trained with the Outdoor Classroom Project in Pasadena.
Teacher Simone emigrated from Switzerland in 1997 and has two daughters, both bilingual. She is co-teaching the German Seedlings and shares German songs, traditions, and culture with the youngest students.
How Old Is Your Child?
TODDLER
2 - 3 years
PRESCHOOL
3 - 6 years
