Hello,
my name is Sonja Klöck and I have been the director of Chocolate Butterflies since November 2008.
During my education to become a teacher, which I concluded in August 2005 in Kempten (Allgäu), I was able to collect a variety of experiences working in kindergarten, at the Spielmobil and with mentally handicapped children.
Right after that I went to Boston for a year to take care of a 14 year old autist and both of his siblings. Back in Germany I worked as group leader in a Catholic kindergarten in Starnberg before coming to Chocolate Butterflies in April 2008.
I love working with children very much and find it very fulfilling. I particularly like all the creative and artistic activities, as well as pre-school education, which is essential for a good start at school. This includes particular emphasis on the phonological awareness and special cognitive and fine-motor abilities.
I am very enthusiastic about the bilingual education here at the kindergarten and about the cooperation between you, the parents, and us, the team. Together we can work to ensure an excellent education for and continuous development of your children.
Hello, my name is Nichelle Luarca.
I am 24 years old and have been living in Munich since June 2006.
I was born and raised in Southern California, where I studied at the University of California, Irvine. I love working with kids and have over 6 years of experience working with them.
I have been at Chocolate Butterflies since Spring 2007 and I really enjoy the unique experience of working at a bilingual kindergarten.
Hello,
my name is Julika Czech and I'm from Ulm (Baden-Württemberg), the city with the highest church steeple in the world.
During and after my studies to become a teacher, which I completed in Ulm, I worked in kindergartens and in a day-care center in and around Ulm and Neu-Ulm. There I was able to become familiar with elements of Montessori and Reggio teachings. That was a great enrichment for me.
I worked for 4 years at my previous job where I accompanied a child with Downs Syndrome within the framework of a single integration. During this time I had a variety of significant experiences and worked in close cooperation with the therapists and the parents.
I believe that in my work it is important to teach the children to become independent individuals, to think and act for themselves and to support them in doing so. Children should have the possibility to experience the world with all of their senses.
I am happy have joined the Chocolate Butterflies team in January 2009 and I am looking forward to positive and effective cooperation with the parents, the children and the team.
Hello,
my name is Stefanie Nilan. I was born here in Munich, but raised in and around the Bay Area in Northern California. I attended the University of California, Santa Cruz and graduated with a double major in Cultural Anthropology and History. I also have the TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
I moved to Germany in September 2007. While giving English lessons at the beginning of 2008, I stumbled into the opportunity to substitue at a bilingual kindergarten. There I realized that working with children was what I really wanted to do.
I have had a lot of previous experience with children through babysitting and nannying. I especially enjoy children's innate curiosity and energy. I find that the bilingual and multi-cultural aspects of the kindergarten create a unique learning environment. I began working for Chocolate Butterflies at the beginning of 2009 and look forward to the many adventures ahead.
Hello,
my name is Lauren Welle and I am the newest team member at Chocolate Butterflies. My husband and I moved to Munich from the United States in August, 2009. Before moving here, I taught preschool special education. I had the opportunity to educate children with a range of disabilities including autism, mental retardation and other various learning disabilities. I was also able to visit the children at home to work with them on academics and collaborate with the parents. I received my Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
I am very excited to expand my knowledge of educating young children. In the short time I have been here, the children have taught me a lot about their various backgrounds and I look forward to learning more about the German culture.
There is nothing like watching a child learn, grow, mature and achieve independence. I look forward to going on this journey with them.
