MVR

German School of San Francisco

Graduated 1999

I have fond memories of German School and the education I received there has proven tremendously helpful as I begin my professional career.

In early 2008 I joined the presidential campaign of then-Senator Barack Obama. The German language skills that I learned and were reinforced at German School every Saturday afforded me the opportunity to travel to Berlin in July 2008 to prepare for the candidate’s historic visit to that city. Looking down at the crowd of over 200,000 from the top of the Victory Column was truly an awe-inspiring moment and I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of it all, due in no small part to my German language skills.

At the end of March 2009, I returned to Germany for the President’s first international trip since his election, which included a stop in Baden-Baden where he attended a NATO leaders’ summit. More recently, after joining the Obama administration full-time, I was able to attend the 2010 World Economic Forum in Davis, Switzerland. Throughout all of these experiences my German language skills proved to be an incredible asset, especially when working as closely with representatives of foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, locally-engaged US Embassy staff, and event organizers as I did.

In addition to the German language instruction, I am finding that the consistent language reinforcement I received every Saturday at the German School has been the key to my ability to successfully maintain my German fluency, which continues to open doors.

January 2023

From parent E-mail:

I wanted to tell you how entirely grateful we are for your time and effort in teaching T. We are very excited that he made it through all the DSD II exams (hopefully!). Thanks again and wish you all the best.

Hi Manja and Claudia, an especially huge “thank you both!” for the past 14 years at Samstag Schule! Your dedication to providing a warm, inviting, and educational environment for our children to thrive in, truly made every Samstag special! We can never thank you enough! 💕

Thanks again!

January 2023

From parent E-mail:

I would love to jump in here as well and say how much we incredibly appreciate everything you, Manja, Angela, and all the amazing German School teachers have been to our family over all these years! (Special shout out to the fantastic Brigitte, who our family loves so much!)

Our children have built a lifelong cultural and language benefit through all of the German School’s fantastic teachers and efforts. We will ever be grateful for the wonderful German School values instilled and reinforced into T. and R.!

Every child would be fortunate to have the same wonderful years of experience as we have.