UNSERE GESCHICHTE

A team, a story, and a mission — all rooted in German Village.

German School Columbus began as a handful of Austrian, Swiss, and German families with a a shared idea.  Almost two decades later we're a program of the American Center for German Culture, taught by native and near-native speakers who love this work.
 
UNSERE MISSION

Our mission.

To make the German language and the culture of German-speaking Europe accessible, joyful, and part of everyday life in Columbus — for learners of every age, background, and reason for wanting to speak Deutsch. 

We bring language to life for learners of all ages. Whether you're just starting out or strengthening skills you already have, our welcoming community makes German learning engaging and meaningful — in the classroom and around the table at the cultural gatherings that fill our year.

As a nonprofit program of the American Center for German Culture, donations and volunteer energy keep tuition affordable and help us grow a lasting German-American community here in central Ohio
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UNSERE GESCHICHTE

From a family idea to a Columbus institution.

KAPITEL 1 • 2008
Kapitel 2  2011

A shared idea takes shape.

​​​Our first classes.
​Austrian, Swiss, and German families across the Columbus area come together around two goals: teach the German language, and pass on an appreciation for the culture and traditions of German-speaking people. A local chapter of D.A.N.K. (Deutsch Amerikanischer National Kongress) provides the organizational scaffolding for the dream — a German-language immersion school.
Community interest is immediate. The very first classes are held that fall, marking the beginning of what will become German School Columbus.
Kapitel 3 • 2011
Kapitel 4 • 2025

Ohio German Language School.

A new name, same mission.
The American Center for German Culture — a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to all things German and German-American — takes the school under its wing. We operate as the Ohio German Language School (OGLS) and continue to grow.
Frohes Neues! We ring in the new year with a new name. As a growing program of ACGC, we're proud to share it: OGLS is now ACGC German School Columbus — in German, ACGC Deutsche Schule Columbus, or GSC for short.
DAS TEAM

Meet the team.


​We are so honored to have such an amazing team of dedicated, enthusiastic, passionate people at German School Columbus.  

Caley Moore

GSC Director
Children's Instructor - Frösche
Intermediate: School-age
More About Caley
Caley is a certified High School German Teacher. In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio and received her Masters degree in German Studies in Middlebury, Vermont. She has taught German levels 1-4 and AP, ran International club, organized high school exchange trips with Saarbrücken and Köln, and tutored for 5 years in Cincinnati. She and her son live in the Columbus area. Currently she is teaching German part-time at DSHS in Dublin and part-time with ACGC and GSC. ​

Ramona Wechsler

Children's Instructor - Adler
Native/Heritage Speakers
Social Media Coordinator​
More about Ramona
Ramona was born and raised in Franconia, Germany. She has a degree in Hotel Industry Expertise and the Culinary Arts and worked in the hotel industry for some years. She has been teaching German to native English speakers since High School. In 2013, Ramona came to Ohio to be an Au Pair for a family for 2 years. She taught her host siblings German during that time while also attending a local university to study Spanish. Ramona and her German shepherd now live locally and enjoys teaching and tutoring for GSC.​

Leah
​Steiner-Suter

Children's Instructor - Igel
Beginners: School-age
​Adult Instructor - Beginner: A1.1 - A1.2 
More about Leah
Native to Columbus, Ohio, United States, Leah practices peace, courageous global citizenry, environmental stewardship, and also works with the World Language Middle School here.  She holds one bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster (OH) in German Studies and Gender Studies, as well as 2 masters degrees : one from World Learning School for International Training in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management, and one from the SPARK Teacher Education Institute in Teaching for Social Justice. Of Swiss heritage, after teaching in Austria, Germany, both coasts and the middle of America, Frau Steiner-Suter is home with German School Columbus serving as teacher and tutor. ​​

Lindsey Basch

Children's Instructor - Hasen​
Beginners: Pre-school age
More about Lindsey
Valerie is brand new to our team - More info coming soon!! ​

Vanessa Plumly

Adult Instructor - All Levels
More about Vanessa
Vanessa is brand new to our team - More info coming soon!! 

Scott Bennett

Adult Instructor - Beginner/Intermediate
A1 - A2 Levels
More About Scott
​Scott is an Ohio native who earned his BA in Political Science with a minor in French from the University of Akron. Thereafter he went to Washington DC to get his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center. He accepted a position as a Legal Advisor with a German law firm in Nürnberg and afterward studied to be a teacher of English and History at the Universität zu Köln. In all he lived in Germany for 15 years.​

Sarah Traylor

Adult Instructor - Intermediate/Advanced
B1+ Levels
More about sarah
​​Sarah earned a BA in French and German from Hillsdale College and went on to receive an MA in French from New York University and an MA and PhD in German from The Ohio State University. She has lived in Dresden as an exchange student and traveled to Berlin several times to co-teach a summer course and participate in conferences and workshops. She has taught beginning through intermediate German at OSU for 10 years. She lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio.​

Interested in Joining the
​German School Columbus Team?
ACGC German School Columbus is always looking for more teachers, substitutes, classroom helpers and tutors! For more information, click the button below.

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