BUILDING A TEAM: OUR TEAM GROWS.

Christina Schmitz
Kindergarten Manager

I am looking forward to making children’s hearts beat faster in an active cooperation with you as a family and to accompany your children on their way individually, curiously and in the best possible way through their lives. I moved to Cologne when I was studying to be a teacher, worked there as a student for a few broadcasters and finally for a large international production company, and can look back on a total of 17 years in the media. Finally, I completed additional external training as a state-certified educator and worked for several years as a group and practical instructor, but also as a child protection specialist and parent companion in the daycare sector. I have dedicated myself to the area of multiculturalism and preschool education. My life motto: The most important piece of luggage is and remains a happy heart! Always believe in your dreams and never stop asking. Take everything with a pinch of humor and above all be grateful, mindful and appreciative!

Shirin Moloudi
Pedagogical staff

I come from Iran and live in Germany since 20001. I studied education in my home country and worked as a teacher with 7 to 13 year old children. Working with children gives me great pleasure, so I decided to train as a child care worker. I am very happy to be able to work at Villa Luna and look forward to supporting the children in their development.

Bonny Sitah-Noveski
Pedagogical staff

In 2017, I graduated from Fliedner University of Applied Sciences with a degree in Childhood Education. After graduation, I took a chance and worked as a Professional Au Pair in Boston, MA for 2 years. I am very grateful for this experience. And now I am happy to practice my profession at Villa Luna and to accompany the children on their life journey, among other things. My motto: “When the wind blows stronger, some build walls, others build sailing ships.”

Wilma Schmitz
English-speaking staff

I am an American, born and raised in El Paso, Texas. My mother was Mexican and my father was German. Our home was multilingual and I grew up speaking English and Spanish. I have been in Germany for 31 years now. In those years, I had the opportunity to begin working with children. I started tutoring, then moved on to teaching kindergarten children English in a playful manner. In 2008 I was offered a job at Fröbel Clemenskids in Porz-Langel as a native English speaker. I greatly enjoy working with children. Their purity and raw sincerity is something I truly value. To me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child achieve tasks that he/she once thought too difficult or seeing the sparkle in their eyes when, despite our language differences, they understand exactly what was asked of them.
I’m looking forward to my work here at Villa Luna and hope to be able to work hand in hand with you preparing your children for primary school.

Gudrun Puzich
Everyday helper

I trained as a retail saleswoman and later worked in the office of a large clothing store in merchandise management and in a property office. Most recently, I worked for many years at the reception desk of a physiotherapy practice in Rodenkirchen. Now I’m looking forward to my new job at Villa Luna, where I can contribute wherever I’m needed. For me, children are joy in person and enrich life. My motto as a Cologne native is: ‘Et kütt, wie et kütt’ (translated: ‘Trust in the processes of life’).

Ramona Gellen
Pedagogical staff

I have been an educator since 2021 and decided to work as a professional au pair in the USA for 1 year shortly after completing my training. After that, it was clear to me that the English language should continue to accompany me in my everyday life. That’s how I came to Villa Luna in 2023. I first worked at the Kaarst location and have been here in Cologne since December 2024. What I like about working with children is that every day is a new journey and full of surprises. I also really enjoy observing and accompanying the children as they take new steps in their development.

Alice Pollmeier
English-speaking staff

I am over the moon to be a part of Villa Luna and supporting the Moon Group. Originally from Britain, where I trained as a Primary School Teacher, I live in the West of Cologne. Since coming to Germany in 1998, I have taught in international schools as well as local German primary schools and kindergartens. My German husband and I have a bilingual family, with three adult children, who are all currently at university. I like to support children in a bilingual environment and working as part of an international team. My motto: ‘Children are born with wings and teachers help them fly’.

Bailey Murray
Social assistant and integration worker

Until this summer, I worked at the other location of Villa Luna in Cologne. In the last four years, I was able to gain valuable experience in childcare in daycare centres, as well as specifically in working with children with disabilities. I have learned to respond sensitively to the individual needs of the children and to accompany them on their way. Because of this, I am able to support children with disabilities in their everyday lives and encourage their development. Open and respectful communication is essential for me, both in dealing with the children and with the parents. Through good teamwork, we can together create a loving and supportive environment in which the children can develop and flourish optimally. My vision for the day care centre is to create a place where every child can strengthen their social skills and promote their cognitive development. I want to encourage them to act independently and take responsibility in order to develop their independence.

Lilli Roggendorf
Pedagogical staff in training

I am currently doing my training as a child carer at Villa Luna in a practice-integrated form. I spend three days a week at the centre and two at the vocational school. I previously worked at Villa Luna on Bonner Wall. There I was able to gain valuable and enjoyable experience in everyday life with the children, but also in contact with the parents. I am now looking forward to being with you and being able to learn and support you here too.

Dominik Dohmen
Trainee

I am a native of Cologne and have successfully completed my training as a state-approved social assistant. I am looking forward with great anticipation to my training as a state-certified educator, to working with the children and the team at Villa Luna, and to the experiences and challenges that come with it. The pedagogical approaches and the diverse offer of Villa Luna convinced me immediately and awakened in me the desire to become a part of the Villa Luna team. I want to work with children because it gives me great pleasure to accompany them in their development and to contribute to it as part of an educational team.

Hollie Litzinger
English-speaking staff

I believe children of a bi/multilingual community is an amazing advantage in life. I have the privilege of being part of a team that can encourage the children with their language skills. I’m a huge fan of keeping education fun, using singing, stories, games and art/crafting. Learning a language does not and should not be daunting. It should be an amazing adventure!

Nataliia Mazan
Pedagogical staff

I am a trained psychotherapist (Ukraine) and have already gained experience in several educational institutions. My languages are Ukrainian, Russian, German and English. For me it is important to play with the children and learn from them as well as to have good communication with the parents. Here at Villa Luna I have the feeling of being at home.

Asma Ouakel
Pedagogical staff

I live in Cologne and studied childhood education and family education. I grew up in Tunisia, German and Tunisian (Arabic dialect) are my mother tongues, I also speak English. I really enjoy working with children and young people and I am looking forward to being part of the Villa Luna team, working with new people and growing. Personally, it is very important to me to create a harmonious and learning atmosphere in order to leave a positive impression.

 

Christina Manook
Music and instrumental teacher

As a qualified music and instrumental teacher, I can look back on around 25 years of teaching experience. In 2008, I founded the Saltarello Music School, a music school specialising in early music education, which has been able to awaken a passion for music in many hundreds of children in recent years. My pedagogical heart beats for “elementary music education” for children up to pre-school age. I am mainly active in our daycare cooperation in the mornings and am very happy to now also make music with the Villa Luna children.

Vera Sternkicker
Graduate chemist, partner for natural science

I am a graduate chemist (studied at RWTH-Aachen), married and have two daughters. Villa Luna children have been discovering inanimate nature in my courses for more than eight years. I am very much looking forward to being able to introduce children to everyday phenomena in simple experiments in Cologne Raderthal as well!

Uwe Weber
Cook

I have been a cook with heart and soul for 35 years. I really enjoy cooking for the children here and experiencing the daily togetherness. I have held positions in canteens (also as a manager), party service and also 4 years of self-employment in my years, and now I am happy to have found a nice and quite challenging job here.

Nelli Niederhaus (currently absent)
Pedagogical staff

I completed my training as a state-certified educator in 2022 and then worked in Deutz, in a company day care centre, as a full-time employee in a U3 group. It gives me great pleasure to support and accompany children in their development. I became aware of Villa Luna through the bilingual pedagogical concept and the positive nature of everyone convinced me when I first met them. My motto in life is “Everything is energy”.