Our Team

Mag. Antonella Di Natale was born and raised in Italy and studied Translation and Communication Sciences at the University of Vienna. Before founding Vienna English Preschool, she worked with languages in several professional settings: as an Italian teacher in Rome, as an interpreter in Vienna, and later in book translation and interpreting for international organisations. She also gained business and administrative experience with Generali, the Italian insurance group.

As a mother of two children who attended bilingual schools, and as someone whose professional life has always been shaped by languages and international communication, Antonella founded VEP to give children in Vienna the chance to grow up with English from an early age in a warm, multicultural environment.

As Director, she is involved in the preschool’s educational, operational and administrative development. Her responsibilities range from organisation, finance and business development to admissions, family communication and parent relations. A central part of her work is the recruitment, training and long-term support of qualified staff, so that teachers have the conditions, guidance and encouragement they need to continue developing professionally and to give children a consistently high standard of care.

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.

Hi, I’m Lorna! I’m from Ireland and have been living in Vienna since April 2024. I’m a qualified teacher in the Yellow Group, and I’ve been passionate about working with children since 2019. I bring a Maria Montessori-inspired approach to my work, encouraging children to explore, experiment, and learn at their own pace.

To me every child has their own way of seeing the world, and my favourite part of teaching is discovering how they think, explore, and express themselves. I love the little moments, watching a child try something new, seeing their face light up when they succeed, or helping them feel proud of themselves. These are the moments that make early childhood so magical.

I trained in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori focus and completed a Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years qualification. Over the years, I’ve worked in Montessori classrooms, afterschool programs, and inclusive settings supporting children with additional needs. I’ve also had the privilege of working one-on-one with a child with autism, which taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and adapting activities so every child can participate, grow, and feel confident.

My approach combines play-based learning, creativity, and encouragement. I’m excited to get to know the children in the Yellow Group, help them feel confident and curious, and make every day at preschool joyful, meaningful, and full of discovery.

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 Rizwana and I come from Birmingham, England. I have been living in Vienna for over 15 years and am a mother to two wonderful girls.

It was after college that I realised I wanted to work with children and my position as a classroom assistant at a junior school in Birmingham only strengthened my career choice. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there and gained some valuable insight into the teaching profession.

I completed my training as an English language instructor in 2010 and started conducting English courses for adults and children at various language institutes in Vienna. During this time I was able to develop and enhance my teaching skills and learn new and fun ways of teaching children, which I immediately incorporated into my lessons with very promising results.

I soon realised that I was at my happiest when working with young children, which prompted me to pursue a diploma in early childhood education and care in 2015. During my studies I worked at the VEP as a group assistant for over one year and am now working as a pedagogue after completing the diploma.

Inclusive education is at the core of my philosophy. I value individual differences, interests and play. Providing equitable learning opportunities and care which meet individual children’s needs is of utmost importance to me.

I bring with me a wealth of new ideas, creative approaches and a passion to nurture children’s explorative nature. I am eager and feel privileged to contribute to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of young children and am dedicated to providing a stimulating and fun environment in order for them to thrive and grow into happy and confident individuals.

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.

Hello, my name is Eszter Monori. I come from Hungary and I am very excited to join the VEP Team as a Teaching Assistant in the Yellow Group.

Fostering children’s emotional intelligence from a very young age is especially important to me, as it helps them recognise and express their feelings while developing empathy and self-awareness through play and role play.

Storytelling is also close to my heart, as it supports imagination, language development, and emotional expression. I also value joy, laughter, and playful movement, which help children grow confidently and holistically.

After finishing secondary school, I spent one year studying and working in Malta. I completed a Master’s degree in Psychology in Hungary and gained further experience through a short period of volunteer work in Quebec, Canada.

I worked in Switzerland for two years, first as an au pair caring for three young children, and then as a SEN Teaching Assistant at an international kindergarten in Basel. During this time, I completed the Canadian Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) training and later volunteered at a development centre in Hungary, further deepening my experience in inclusive education.

I have also worked in an English private kindergarten in Budapest as a Teaching Assistant. I am a mother to a four-year-old son, which, along with my professional experience, is giving me further valuable insight into early childhood development.

I am very much looking forward to getting to know you and your wonderful children and to creating a warm, joyful, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued and supported.

Hi, I’m Veli. I was born and raised in London and recently moved to Vienna, and I’m excited to be joining the team as a Teaching Assistant.

What draws me to working with children is their honesty and curiosity. They see the world in a way that’s simple but meaningful, and I really enjoy being part of those everyday moments — whether that’s understanding something new, building confidence, or just seeing them feel proud of themselves.

From my experience supporting families and caring for children, I’ve learned that patience and adaptability matter just as much as energy. Every child is different, and I enjoy figuring out what works for each one — whether that’s through play, creativity, or just taking the time to listen.

Growing up in London shaped how I connect with people. Being around different cultures taught me to be open, observant, and respectful of different perspectives, and that’s something I bring into my work every day.

I’m really happy to be here and looking forward to creating a positive and supportive environment for the children.

Hi! My name is Zinnia, and I have lived in Vienna for the past two years. I am really excited to join the VEP team as a Teaching Assistant!

I believe that for a child to thrive, they need to feel safe, included and engaged in their environment. I pay close attention to each child’s needs and personality so they can grow, play and learn in a space where they feel confident and supported.

As a creative person, reading, storytelling, and arts are a passion of mine. I also believe that creativity is essential to a child’s development, I am thrilled to share this with the VEP children to support them in tapping into their personal creativity.

I was born in California, but I also grew up in both Thailand and Sweden. This experience has fuelled my appreciation for international and multicultural communities, something that I am very proud to be a part of. I am fluent in English and Swedish, but also have some familiarity with German, Thai, Hungarian, and Spanish.

I have been working with children for around 8 years alongside my studies in International Relations and Geography. My love for working with children began with my very first job as an assistant at a kindergarten in my hometown in Sweden. Over the years I have babysat for families, worked as an English teacher and as a summer camp supervisor for young children. These experiences have given me valuable tools for creating a nurturing environment for young children, and I am delighted to continue my journey in early childhood education here at 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.