Green Group

Hi! My name is Natasha. I spent my early childhood in the US and relocated to Austria when I was three years old. I grew up bilingual English-German, as my parents are British and Swiss. My entire schooling was in German, but my home language always remained English.

My childhood dream was to become a kindergarten teacher. At the age of 14 I changed schools to make my passion a reality. At 19 I graduated as a kindergarten teacher. I started working at VEP as a teacher in 2006 in the Green Group and after two and a half years I moved to the Blue Group. I taught the preschool group for five and a half years.

As a kindergarten teacher, I cherished the joy of watching children develop their unique personalities, discover their strengths, and build meaningful connections with the world around them. Seeing their curiosity and creativity unfold inspired me every day.

In 2011 I married an Austrian and a few years later gave birth to a lovely girl. We are raising her bilingual English-German, which has given me even more insight on bilingual upbringing and education. I find it such a privilege for children to grow up with more than one language. I have seen firsthand how bilingual upbringing enhances cognitive skills, improved problem-solving abilities, and creates greater cultural awareness, equipping children with valuable tools for navigating an increasingly interconnected world.

While the adventure of motherhood was a beautiful journey filled with unexpected challenges and joyful moments, I also managed to fullfill a lifelong dream of mine publishing an English children’s book “The Adventures of Bucklethorn Forest”.

In 2016 I returned from maternity leave and worked in the Blue and Green Group for over seven years before going on my second maternity leave with my little boy. I am thrilled to return to the kindergarten after my parental leave. Working with children has always been my passion. I believe in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to explore, learn, and grow.

I am looking forward to joining the Green Group again and reconnecting with the children, meeting new faces, and working closely with you as parents to support your child’s learning journey. I will be providing German language support and also lead the German circle times in the Green Group.

Thank you for trusting me with such an important role in your little ones’ lives. I can’t wait to start this new chapter together!

Hello, my name is Wayne and I come from a small town in England called Corby.

After finishing college, I began teaching children the guitar in my spare time at the request of their parents. Doing this for a period of time I realised that I thoroughly enjoyed this and wanted to take this passion further in the form of a career in teaching.

Around this time, I was also playing music professionally and spent lots of time traveling around Europe playing to many different people. During this time, I visited Vienna and realised that I very much enjoyed the city and country. In 2013 I decided to stop playing music professionally, spend more time teaching music to children and move to Austria.

I have now been a part of the VEP team since 2014, working closely with children and families throughout this time. I have recently completed my EYFS teaching diploma and will be taking over the Green Group as the main teacher in 2023, which I am very much looking forward to.

Through my learning and experience over the past 9 years, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and discovered many exciting and effective ways of teaching. The VEP has given me a fantastic platform in which I can bring my passion and love of music and teaching to all the children that attend the VEP.

Hi! My name is Zsofi, I grew up in Michigan, USA and consider myself culturally American although I’m also partly Hungarian. Vienna has a special place in my heart, not only because I’ve lived here since 2020 but also because it’s where my grandparents met and settled down.

I’ve always been passionate about learning from different cultures, cuisines, and places. I studied Culture, Politics and Society at Central European University, which really deepened my interest in understanding how communities thrive.

I’ve had the pleasure of teaching ballet to young children for four years, combining my love of dancing with kids’ education. I also worked as a youth organizer for a festival in Hungary that celebrates Roma culture. Alongside my love of dance — I’ve been learning salsa for over a year now — I’m an avid reader.

I became interested in education through seeing the hard work and influence of teachers. Working with children has been a consistent source of joy for me, and I am excited to continue on this path as I explore possible further studies in education.

I am thrilled to be working at Vienna English Preschool and look forward to getting to know the children and families within the VEP community. I am excited for the journey ahead and for all the experiences this multicultural environment has to offer.

Hello, my name is Alexandra Ruhmannseder, and I am proud to serve as the head teacher of our kindergarten. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, my journey has been one of continuous learning, passion, and dedication to the well-being and development of young minds.

I began my career as a preschool teacher in August 2006. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with all the groups in our kindergarten, gaining invaluable experience and insights into the unique needs of children at various stages of their early development. This hands-on experience has shaped my understanding of how to create a comfortable, inclusive, and stimulating environment for every child.

In 2019, I completed advanced management training to take on the role of head teacher. My responsibilities now include leading the kindergarten with a focus on logistics, effective communication with parents, staff management, and, most importantly, ensuring the happiness and holistic development of your children.

One of my special roles is teaching German as part of our language development program. I work closely with all groups, supporting the children in both German and English through engaging and interactive activities.

I am deeply committed to fostering a space where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. I look forward to continuing this rewarding journey alongside our wonderful team, children, and families.