Our Team

Anne-Sophie Briest	Antje Michaelis
patron, mother and founder
Contact: info@besmartacademy.com	Contact: antjemichaelis@besmartacademy.com

Antje Maass-Baildon
Principal

Antje is the person who is responsible for the entire team. Making sure the team is united and also praising them at a job well done. Not always an easy task, but something she is able to do well. From the very first day, Antje has stood by her team, to help resolve conflict and to answer any questions that may have come up. She is committed to working together with both the team and parents and to find resolutions for any discrepancies. Antje always has a sympathetic ear for any concerns coming from parents and staff. She is convinced that early childhood education in a multicultural environment is the necessity to optimize a child’s education. Thus, be smart academy is the perfect place for her to work. Coming from a multicultural background herself and having worked many years in bi-lingual kindergartens, including managing the US embassy kindergarten, have given her the basis of taking on this enormous job. A job that is done with the outmost certainty. Antje is the mother of two teenagers and is happily married to an American. She is also completely bi-lingual and bi-cultural.

Contact:
a.maass-baildon@besmartacademy.com

	Principal assistant / Ramona Grosz Without Ramona, our work would never be complete. She is responsible for making sure everything is in running order. From ordering the meals, answering the phone, to translating and helping out in the kitchen, she is the person who makes sure the daily routine runs smoothly. Her laid back and optimistic character is just what we need when things become hectic. She always knows who to contact and is able to answer most any question or at least find the answer. We are so delighted to have her be the office assistant and part of our team. r.grosz@besmartacademy.com
	Picasso Group / Dana Bombis The fun loving and e care free spririted Dana has just joined be smart academy and Smarties group. She is a qualified German “Erzieher” who spent a year as an Au-pair in England, not only learning the English language, but taking care of children ages one to twelve. She has warmed the little people hearts with her warm and friendly attitude and her everyday optimism. We are thrilled that she has joined our team. d.bombis@besmartacademy.com
	Picasso Group / Damaris Kaigua Damaris, a native from Kenya has joined our team as the additional English speaking teacher in our Picasso group. She has been a Montessori teacher both here in Berlin and Kenya and the children have benefitted from her very patient nature. Herself being a mother of two small children, she knows how to juggle work and family time. We are very happy that has decided to join be smart. d.kaigua@besmartacademy.com
	Einstein group / Ulrike Hänsch Ulrike is a qualified “Erzieher” in the Darwin group. She is very motivated to make sure that the children are well cared for. Her pedagogical background and her degree in social work has been a great platform for her job here at the Villa. Through 7 years of work in different kindergartens, schools and senior citizen homes, she is able to tackle any challenge that comes up. She particularly enjoys the work in early childhood education, focusing on speaking reading and writing. Ulrike is a very dedicated and loyal employee, who has enriched our team both creatively and professionally. u.haensch@besmartacademy.com
	Einstein group / Anne Danschke Anne Danschke is the only teacher in training. The road in front of her may be long but it is very informative and interesting, all of which will enrich her life tremendously. She realized her true calling as “Erzieher” after finishing a work experience period in the Seifenfabrik. Working with children has sparked her interest in learning more about children. How they move, how they perceive their surroundings and how to attract their interest and keep them fascinated is what interests Anne most. Anne has shown us many situations, where she yearns for more information on dealing with children. She has paved her way and completes her work conscientiously. The beautiful decorations within our Villa are a direct reflection of her creativity. Thank you Anne and welcome! a.danschke@besmartacademy.com
	Einstein group / Natalie Lees Natalie Lees is by far the most patient teacher whom no one can distract. Together with Anne Danschke and Ulrike Hänsch, she has settled into the group wonderfully. The children simply adore her. Together the three of them constantly find new pedagogical ideas to enhance the kita day for the children. Learning, playing and communication are taught through fun and games. This challenge not only interests Natalie, but she accomplishes it with dedication and smile. She is a natural talent in dealing with children, a once in a life time find. We are thrilled that she is able to contribute this to be smarts extensive concept. Welcome to our team! n.lees@besmartacademy.com
	Minis / Frederike Mischnik Frederike is a qualified “Erzieher” in the Einstein group. Spending her gap year working in a kindergarten made her realize this is the job for her. After her apprentice she completed a “Praktikum” at be smart academy, Seifenfabrik. The concept and positive feedback made her the perfect candidate for a job here at the Villa. Frederike truly enjoys working in her group and is always willing to learn and expand her education. We are happy that she is part of our team, and so is Sammy (the turtle). :-) f.mischnik@besmartacademy.com
	Minis / Alex Wright Alex, with his very British humor, is the English speaking teacher in our Einstein group. Although very professional, he is still up for a good laugh. He was able to win over the hearts of the little ones by setting boundaries and being respectful. Alex is very aware of the needs of the children and is literally able to read their minds. Having travelled throughout the world he has learned to appreciate the many different cultures. Alex enjoys sports of all sorts, particularly cricket, and loves food! That is why food preparation and sport activity is something his group will never miss out on. On the contrary, they are always on the go. a.wright@besmartacademy.com
	Minis / Lucia Jokiel The lovely Lucia, our sunshine, how could we be without her? As a fully qualified “Erzieher”, Lucia works both in the Minis and Smarties group and she also takes care of our little ones during the late shift. Lucia moved to Berlin many years ago with her husband and two children. She has enriched our kindergarten with more than 24 years of experience. She does not shy away from work and is always willing to help. She knows every child by name and all the children love Lucia, as we do too. l.jokiel@besmartacademy.com
	Smarties Group / Andreas Lehmann Andreas is the born “Erzieher” and a qualified one at that. How else could you explain his professional attitude? His loving , patient and caring nature with our Minis group can melt anyone’s heart. Also his knowledge in multicultural education make him a perfect candidate at be smart. No room for doubt that the children do not get enough exercise in the Minis group, as Andreas is an avid sportsman. A good mix of culinary skills, patience and his love for the job are all great attributes he brings to be smart. a.lehmann@besmartacademy.com
	Smarties Group / Tina Luong A city girl at heart, Tina is the English speaking teacher for our little ones in the villa. Leaving her hometown London, via Hong Kong, we are lucky that she decided to set roots in Berlin and join our team. Her start as a foster parent brought her to this profession. As an art teacher in an afterschool program and then as a preschool teacher, is where Tina gained her many years of experience. The Minis love her openness and creative nature. Tina is a very responsible teacher and her open-mindedness to all cultures make her a perfect fit for be smart. She is also a proud mama of a little boy. t.luong@besmartacademy.com
	Smarties Group / Ulrike Großer Ulrike is a qualified “Erzieher” who was part of the Smarties group. She found her calling as a teacher in the United States. Gathering experience as an au pair and later receiving a BA just supports her natural talent as a teacher. Her passion can be seen and felt daily in her work with the children. Laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning is what Ulrike passes onto every child. We are truly lucky to have her be part of our team. u.grosser@besmartacademy.com
	Beethoven Group / Roselyn Kiwala Roselyn is our pearl and English speaking teacher in the Beethoven group. Nothing and no one can sway her patience. Her credentials as early childhood educator and her 14 years of experience in schools both in Africa and Europe are a huge asset for the Beethoven group. Making learning fun is her priority. She is the mother of 3, including our little Sara. r.kiwala@besmartacademy.com
	Beethoven Group / Ana Bebic Ana, a qualified “Erzieher” in the Beethoven group, has won over the hearts of the children in a very short time. Her professional and natural gift of interaction with the children is outstanding. Ana gained her experiences from her previous job and has implanted this into her job here at the Villa. She is very involved in her group and works with the utmost care. She has become a valued team player and we are thrilled to have her. a.bebic@besmartacademy.com
	Beethoven Group / Caroline Waight Our fun-loving Caroline has come all the way from Brighton, England. She rocks our Beethoven group and has won all our hearts in such a short time. The children adore Caroline and her patient and caring way. She always has wonderful ideas to brighten any day and children can always expect to enjoy an exciting activity. She particularly enjoys science and art. Her experience from several English kindergartens has enriched our team. c.waight@besmartacademy.com
	Darwin Group / Theresa D. Helou Theresa has come all the way from Texas to join Ulrike and the Darwin group. Having completed a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors in Psychology, she is well suited to work with all the children on a daily basis. Her experience is diverse. Having worked in private schools in Manhattan, teaching children from ages 3 years to college students, enable Theresa insight of the different needs that children have. We are thrilled to have Theresa on our team and as a parent, as she is also a mom to an adorable daughter in the Minis group. Theresa is presently on maternity leave, but will be back soon. t.helou@besmartacademy.com
	Darwin Group / Therese Hermann Therese is a Berliner and a qualified German “Erzieher” in the Darwin group. She truly loves her job. Her steadfast optimism and her continuous cheerful outlook can sway anyone’s attitude. Having travelled through Asia and Australia she has learned to value the multicultural environment and thus enjoys working at be smart. Her sensitive and caring nature with children and her upbeat attitude make it almost impossible to find Theresa without a smile on her face. t.hermann@besmartacademy.com
	Darwin Group / Gray Galbraith Gray Galbraith, one of our „oldies“, comes from Scotland. She has been with us from the start in 2007. Her work at the old Seifenfabrik gave her a great foundation to be smarts concept and of course she continues to do a brilliant job here at the villa. She enjoys working with Therese and the group as the English speaking teacher. Gray’s passion for art and creativity has definitely enriched the group to become more colorful. Even her son Alaric has settled into be smart “Villa Heimat” routine nicely. Gray’s humorous and friendly personality is a delight to have. We could not have hoped for a better match…..and she too, as she fits perfectly into our team :-) g.galbraith@besmartacademy.com
	Housekeeping / Helga Reichenthal Helga Reichenthal, a vivacious Czech, is our kitchen fairy here at the Villa. She is everywhere and nowhere. She is always welcome in the groups, as bringing the early and late snack and of course lunch makes all the children happy. She is well liked amongst all, as she is always cheerful and easy going. Surrounded daily by little children, makes her job even more enjoyable. Helga cares for the daily housework, washing and kitchens with glee. If you happen to run into Helga you will surely not miss her sense of humor and spirit. Here in the Villa she is appreciated and well cared for. We are quite certain she feels the same :-) h.reichenthal@besmartacademy.com