Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

“Quaranteaching” in Germany
When I was three years old, my father was relocated from
Germany to Charleston, SC, where we lived for seven
years before moving to Bamberg, a beautiful medieval
city in Bavaria. Charleston would always be our home,
and my sisters and I were GRITS (Girls raised in the South).
This feeling is still the same today, even after so many
years, and eventually both of my sisters and I would return
to live in the USA. Despite some of the challenges that
third culture kids experience, this made me who I am
today, and I am always very grateful for the childhood
and life I have had so far. This experience would also
influence my decision to work at an international school.
When I was younger, I wanted to become a marine biologist. I was fascinated by manatees in
Florida (I still have a heavy stone figure of one at home), whales and dolphins, and I was
determined to protect this species when I was grown up. When I moved to Boston, whale
watching was always a highlight for me, and I made sure to go regularly. I wear a necklace with
a whale fluke pendant every day.
After having studied history, English and politics at the Universities of Mannheim and Würzburg, I
completed my 2-year student teaching training in Bavaria. I had always been interested in
teaching at an international school and was extremely excited when I got the position as Head
of the Department of Humanities at the
German International School in Boston, a
city that had always fascinated me since
reading my first book about the
American Revolution in grade 2. It was
meant to be, especially since I am a
huge Kennedy fan.
Before moving to Berlin, I spent four
absolutely amazing years in Boston, MA,
teaching. These were, without doubt the
best years of my life (so far). But the
distance from my family was tough. I
knew it was time to return home. I
decided that teaching in an
international school setting was the right
fit for me. So today I’m a teacher of
history, geography and Head of the
Department of Humanities with a great
passion for the Sustainable Development
Goals at an international school in Berlin.
I am also a TeachSDGs Ambassador.
KATJA MALINOWSKI
Member: American Women’s Club of Berlin
From: Germany
Lives: Berlin, Germany
Most of my life revolves around school,
and I often do not come home until late
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I am a Teach SDGs Ambassador