At EPC, everyone knows me by my nickname: Gitti.
In 2008, I took over as chairwoman of the “Association for the Promotion of the English Language in Children”, and since then I have worked in a variety of roles – as a lead educator, assistant, floating teacher, and currently as educational director.

I currently manage the English Play Corner and support my colleagues in their educational work – wherever I am needed.

I’m a trained early childhood and infant educator, a clinical and health psychologist, and also completed training as a mediator.

I’m married and the proud mother of Xaver (born 2012) and Ella (born 2015).

What I value most about the English Play Corner is the family-like atmosphere, our exceptionally high staff-to-child ratio, which allows us to respond to each child’s individual needs – and of course, the opportunity to introduce children to the English language in a playful and natural way.

Hello, my name is Olivia and I’ve been part of the English Play Corner team since autumn 2019. I’m both Australian and Austrian and grew up bilingual, so I speak English and German fluently. I’m married and a proud mother of two daughters, who are growing up bilingual just like I did.

I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Science from the University of Salzburg and work as the lead educator for the 3–6-year-old group. Since September 2025, I have also been the Deputy Head at the English Play Corner.

I truly enjoy getting to know each child’s unique and imaginative world and feel privileged to accompany them through such a wonderful phase of their childhood.

In my free time, I’m a passionate ballroom dance instructor and love travelling to faraway places.

My name is Evelyn Rachel, I was born in 1990 and live in Hallein. Thanks to my bilingual upbringing, I speak both English and German fluently.

I am a certified Body Vital Trainer, a Doula, a former member of the Salzburg Crisis Intervention Team, and hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences.
I am currently one of the group leaders of the Bumblebee Group.

It has always brought me great joy to watch children grow, learn, and develop. Being able to support and accompany them during their first years of life is a true honor for me.

My name is Philna van Veijeren, and I am the School-Beginners (also known as the Foxes) teacher here at EPC. I joined the team in 2022, and I absolutely love my job. Working with the School-Beginners is a wonderful honour for me, and I truly value the close collaboration with parents.

I was born and raised in South Africa, and Cape Town will always be home in my heart. I bring a valuable global perspective to my work as a teacher, and I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we all are to live here in Salzburg.

I studied Psychology and have previously taught English to children of all ages. My hobbies include practising yoga, reading, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends. I have a good understanding of German and am continuing to improve my speaking skills.

I look forward to getting to know each of your children as the unique, multi-faceted individuals they are, and to helping prepare them for school through fun, creativity, and play.

I was born in 1996 in Amstetten, in the beautiful region of Mostviertel. Since 2019, I’ve been living in Salzburg, where I’m currently studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education. I also studied English for three years.

I joined the English Play Corner team in April 2022. In 2015, I graduated from what is now BAfEP Amstetten, where I completed my training as a kindergarten teacher. After that, I worked for four years as a civil servant and social educator in a residential care home for children and young people aged 3 to 18.

The EPC is my first position as a kindergarten teacher – and today I know for sure that this profession is exactly the right one for me. I come to work every day with great enthusiasm and truly enjoy spending time with the children. I especially appreciate the warm, family-like atmosphere in our team and the excellent cooperation with parents.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, as I’m a very social and humorous person. Sports play an important role in my life – especially football, my greatest passion. After 25 years on the field, I now workas a children’s and youth coach, passing on my love for the game to the next generation.

My name is Katrin and I was born in 1998.
In 2018 I graduated from the BAfEP Bischofshofen, since then I worked in the field of child education gaining experience as an assistant teacher, group leader, working in a child club and as an English teacher in Japan.

I'm very happy to work at the English Play Corner to get to know you and your children and help them grow.

In my spare time I enjoy dancing, spending time in nature and with good company!

My name is Petra Wenisch and I grew up in Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria. I completed my training as a kindergarten teacher at the former BBakip in St. Pölten, graduating in 2007. Since then, I have gained a wide range of experience in childcare, working as a Springer, as a lead kindergarten teacher in Lower Austria, and for several years now at the English Play Corner here in Salzburg.

I have been living in Salzburg since 2018 and am part of the EPC team, currently working as a language support teacher for German and as the Springer within the institution.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, doing sports, and spending time in nature around Salzburg.

My name is Hannah, and I’ve been part of the English Play Corner team since 2017, when I first started working as a helper. In 2020, I completed my training as a BÖE group leader. I’m currently working as an assistant in the toddler group, supporting the lead educators in their daily work with the children.

Salzburg has been my home since 2010. My family is a lovely blend of East and West – I’m from the Philippines, and my husband is Hungarian. We have a wonderful son who was born in 2014.

In my free time, I’m passionate about singing and love to travel whenever I get the chance.

My name is Shannon, I was born in 1995 in Ontario, Canada, and grew up there. In September 2019, I moved to Salzburg – and I’ve never looked back!

I have extensive experience working with children in both English and German. In Canada, I worked at the YMCA as a child and youth counselor, where I not only planned programs but also led fun games and activities. I also spent some time in Germany working as an au pair for a wonderful family, where one of my main tasks was helping the children learn English through everyday experiences.

I grew up playing a wide variety of sports and have always loved everything related to music. I enjoy travelling and discovering new countries, cultures, and languages – which is what brought me to Austria in the first place! I consider myself a child at heart, and that’s why it’s so special for me to work with children every single day.

Hello, my name is Elisa, and I was born in 2003 in Hallein.

In June 2023, I completed my training as an educational assistant at BAFEP Bischofshofen, and I’m very happy to now be part of the EPC family. Although I was born and raised in Austria, I’m Finnish, as both of my parents come from Finland. This means I speak German and English fluently, as well as Finnish.

In my free time, I love travelling and discovering new countries and cultures. I also enjoy spending time in nature, reading a good book, or engaging in art.

I feel truly honored to be part of the English Play Corner and look forward to creating wonderful memories together with the children.

My name is Susi and I am the children´s chef cook at the English Play Corner since 2008. I encourage, challenge and help children to develop a taste for food. Healthy food is one of my secrets to keep up the energy level we need.

In my spare time my passion is sports outdoors and indoors. I am married and I have 3 grown up children who I love to spend time with.

My name is Izzy, and I am from the USA. I have a BS in Biology and Fine Art.

I have worked as a chef and artisan bread baker in the United States, New Zealand, the UK, and Uganda. I love to cook food that is heathy and fresh.

In my spare time I like to Ski, Kayak, and spend time with my husband and dog. I am also a potter and enjoy time in my ceramic studio.

I am really looking forward to working at English Play Corner and getting to share my passion for food with others!

My name is Christiane and I am working at the English Play Corner since 2014. I am half Amercian half Austrian. I am blessed with speaking English and German fluently which makes working here with children and parents perfect. I´ve got the best of both. I´m in charge of the EPC and I get to be the teacher of the “bumblebees” who I adore working with.

Aside from working I´ve made sports and dance to my passion. It´s the perfect balance. I love to travel the world to see different places and cultures, to meet people and to see what this world has to offer. And still there is no place like home where I find myself with family and friends.