Many of the teachers at the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School have been with us for many years, preparing hundreds of au pairs for the responsibilities and adventures that lie ahead of them. They are passionate about cultural exchange and completely committed to providing them with the best preparation for their au pair experience possible.

A native Long- Islander Nancy’s goal since childhood has been to see the world.  While she is still working to attain this goal, Nancy has been fortunate to have had many wonderful, rich international experiences. She cites the three months she spent exploring New Zealand as one of her favorites.  Nancy’s passion for cultures and languages is an asset in the classroom, not only here at the Au Pair School, but in the public school classes she taught prior to her retirement.  Nancy’s other interests include kayaking, painting and making mosaics, literature, film, cooking, and gardening.

“I will always remember some of the au pairs in my classes… the graceful girl from Malawi, whose goal was to start a school in her country; the young man from Austria undaunted by the challenge of caring for 5-year-old quadruplet girls; the girl from El Salvador, who led volunteer teams building housing in poor rural areas of her country; and so many more.  I am impressed with their intelligence, creativity, kindness, and eagerness, and often feel that I am meeting the future leaders of many countries.”

Why did you choose to be a teacher with Cultural Care Au Pair?
Teaching at Cultural Care combines my professional teaching experience with my love of other languages, cultures and the world.
 

Lina grew up in Malta and earned her teaching degree before moving to the U.S. with her husband. She taught middle school and high school in the U.S. for many years before becoming a teacher at the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School in August of 2002. She has two grown children.

“My job as a teacher enables me to help au pairs see the gift they can be to host families in this country. My goal is to make them aware of the tremendous impact they will have on their host children. As a role model, they have the opportunity to shape their lives in a positive way.”

Why did you choose to be a teacher with Cultural Care Au Pair?
I love working with students from all backgrounds, and I love to teach. I felt I could empathize with the au pairs, since I also left my homeland when I was their age. I also studied psychology and have experience with children, which I felt would help me teach the curriculum.
 

A native New Yorker, Carol, enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter and having the opportunity to interact with people from other countries.  Carol has worked as a teacher for many years and joined the staff of Cultural Care Au Pair Training School in 1997; she also operates her own interior design firm.

“Acting as a host family while my daughter participated in an exchange program enabled me to learn how to cope with apprehensions of exchange students while helping to encourage their hopes and dreams. “

What do you enjoy most about teaching about the Au Pair Training School?
There are many things which I enjoy, however nothing can compare to the look of confidence on the faces of the students when they are ready to off to their host families.

Marie is the most tenured member of the teaching staff at the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School.  With her passion for travel, language and culture Marie brings a wealth of experiences as a mother, grandmother, educator and long time employee of Cultural Care to each group of au pairs she works with. Even after moving from New York, Marie decided to stay on staff here at the school and commutes from Pennsylvania just to be with us!  When she is not busy commuting, traveling, or teaching Marie offers her time to numerous organizations including The Youth Aid Panel, Lamp for Haiti, and Cultural Care’s own Kids First.

“I value the diversity here at the school, not just of the au pairs, but amongst the staff and teachers as well. I love having the opportunity to be surrounded by such an assorted group of people who, despite differences, manage to share the same goals and ideals concerning the importance of education and the youth of our world.”

What is your favorite memory from the Au Pair School?
As a teacher it is important to remember that we learn from our students just as they learn from us.  For example many years ago I was taught a lesson in geography by one of our wonderful au pairs. This particular au pair answered “Georgia” when asked where she was from; after explaining to her that I wanted to know where she came from, not where she was going, she again replied “I am from Georgia.” Imagine my surprise when I asked her to show me where Georgia was on a map and she pointed to Turkey’s neighboring country!

A two time graduate of the State University of New York, Joan taught within public schools for many years prior to becoming a teacher at the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School in 1999. Joan, and her husband who is originally from Poland, enjoy traveling and often return to his home country amongst other destinations. Joan also enjoys spending time with her son and grandchildren who live in Virginia.

“I enjoy meeting the new au pairs who are in my classes; I get to learn so much from each of them as well as the country they represent…we laugh a little, smile a lot and give hugs when needed.”

What do you most enjoy about teaching at the Au Pair Training School?
I love sharing stories about American culture and children with new au pairs. It is exciting to be able to share this information and help them as they prepare to spend a year in this great country.

Born and raised in New York City, Mirel is a married mother of six and a grandmother of sixteen! With varied experience in education, ranging from Early Childhood Education to working towards her own PhD in Administrative Education, Mirel has found her niche at the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School. Since 2000 she has been a humorous and loving part of so many au pair’s journeys.  

“I truly enjoy meeting au pairs from all over the world and learning about their culture and customs. In many ways, it is an educational experience for me for me as well. A few years ago we had an au pair who had been injured in the Serbian conflict. Her willingness to come here and be a source of good, to be able to love and help people has really stuck with me. To me, the strength of so many of these young people is incredible.”

Why did you choose to be a teacher with Cultural Care Au Pair?
After living in Pittsburg for 23 years, I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to work with young adults, closer to my home in New York. Having a background in not only education, but psychology and social development as well, I thought this would be the perfect fit. Ten years later I feel the same passion and excitement as I did when I started.

Kris, a certified English teacher, joined the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School in 1999.  She and her husband frequently travel internationally and are passionate about cultural exchange and education. Kris also enjoys traveling domestically, often to visit with her extended family, and encourages the au pairs she meets to see as much of the United States as possible.  

“Having been a nanny in an area far away from my comfort zone and having the experience of dealing with, working for, and slowly becoming part of a family, I am able to share my personal experiences with the au pairs.”

What do you most enjoy about teaching at the Au Pair Training School?
This job is truly unique.  Each week I look at my class, look at each unique individual, learn details about who they are and where they are from; I feel as though each week, the world sits in front of me.

Joyce, a married mother of four serves not only as a teacher for the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School but has also been a Local Care Coordinator for over 10 years. Her experience as a mother and veteran employee of Cultural Care make her a strong teacher and wonderful resource for our au pairs. Joyce and her family enjoy traveling and often find time to visit with former students and au pairs.

“I love seeing how happy and excited au pairs are to be here, for many of them having the opportunity to travel to the United States is a dream come true and I am happy to be a part of it.”

What is your favorite memory from the Au Pair School?
One week, when classes ended, an au pair came up to give me a hug goodbye – next thing I knew the entire class had lined up behind her to share goodbye hugs too!