Meet the Counselor
Born in Dinslaken, Germany and having spent my formative years in Nuremberg, I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Western Europe while attending school and working as a translator for Grundig in Fuerth, Germany. Upon graduation from the Alliance Francaise in Paris, I came to the United States in 1967 as an employee of Pan American Airlines, met my husband and, together, we raised our three children in Virginia, often with the help of au pairs who continue to keep in touch with us today. It was an experience we all treasured, and I feel that they became very much a part of the family in the short time they lived with us. In fact, the teenage daughter of one of our au pairs just recently stayed with us for a week while touring the United States.
I began my work with Au Pair in America in 1994 as a Community Counselor in the McLean/Great Falls area, moved to Gainesville, Virginia in 2000, where I am currently the Community Counselor for areas in Prince William County, including Woodbridge, Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket and Dumfries and certain sections of Centreville and Chantilly. One feature of the Au Pair in Amerca program that, among others, distinquishes it from those that imitate it is that the Counselors actually live in the community they serve and, therefore, can be present and with you when the occasion requires it. In addition, families that have joined us after being with other au pair organizations note that there is little turnover in the counselor ranks which brings a level of satisfaction about the continuity and stability that our service offers compared to the confusion and disruption that may exist elsewhere. I have 30 wonderful au pairs in my cluster at present, and they take care of a full range of children in age brackets from infant up through the early teen years. I am also happy to report that I have more than 30 Host Families, either hosting an au pair or looking to host one, and I am proud of the close partnership we have developed in this exchange of cultures to assure that both the host family and the au pair have a successful and satisfying year together.
If you would like more information about our au pair program or about our cluster please contact me at FSAuPair@gmail.com