Ever wondered who really keeps the gears turning every Saturday morning? Our latest interview features the “Heart of Administration,” Nathalie!
Discover which famous movie studio she used to work for, why she thinks our school is a “little piece of Germany” in the middle of Canada, and which German proverb she uses to survive the Saturday morning rush. From her roots in the soulful city of Bremen to her secret wish for our school’s future, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
A Little Piece of Germany: An Interview with Nathalie
Annika: How long have you been the “heart of administration” at our school?
Nathalie: I first stepped into this role back in 2013. If you do the math, that is 13 years and counting! I’ve seen a lot of Saturday mornings come and go, but I’m still here and loving it.
Riley: What were you doing before you joined us here at the school?
Nathalie: You might not guess it, but my professional life was quite a mix! I used to work in the marketing department of MGM Home Entertainment, so I have a bit of “Hollywood” in my history. I also worked for a Strata company before finally finding my way to the school.
Tanmay: Which part of Germany do your roots come from?
Nathalie: I was born in Bremen, which is easily one of the most beautiful and soulful cities in Germany! Before moving to Canada, I also spent time studying in the buzz of Berlin and living in Frankfurt. I’ve definitely done the “Grand Tour” of Germany!
Teo: What does a typical Saturday morning look like when you open the school gates?
Nathalie: Usually, our Principal is the early bird who beats me to the gates and opens the classrooms. But on those rare mornings when he’s not there, I’m the one holding the keys! The very first thing I do is wake up my computer. However, before the machine can even finish its first “cup of coffee,” the influx of parents begins! I’m immediately diving into a sea of questions. Right after that, the board members start trickling in, and the second wave of questions hits! We chat about everything under the sun, and honestly, the time flies by so fast I barely notice the clock.
Niko: What is the most important (or funniest) task you have as an administrator?
Nathalie: The highlight of my job is definitely the people. Getting to work alongside our board members and our teachers is just so much fun. We really have an amazing “Dream Team” here!
Annika: Why did you decide to work at a German school?
Nathalie: It was actually a happy accident! My own children were attending the school at the time, and I noticed the administrator position was open. I had some extra time at my disposal, so I thought, “Why not?” I applied, got the job, and the rest is history.
Tanmay: Is there a German proverb that perfectly fits your daily work routine?
Nathalie: Oh, absolutely. The one that guides my desk every day is: “Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen” (Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today). It’s the only way to keep the paperwork from taking over!
Piers: We just have to know: What is your absolute favorite animal?
Nathalie: That is the easiest question of the day: a cat, naturally!
Teo: What makes our school community so special to you?
Nathalie: Everything! Simply everything. Don’t you feel it, too? It’s the traditions we keep alive, the sound of people speaking German in the halls, and all the events we organize together. For me, it’s like having my own little piece of Germany right here in the heart of Canada. It’s that true feeling of “Heimat”(home).
Niko: If you had one wish for the future of the school, what would it be?
Nathalie: I have one very big, strong wish: I want our school to have its very own building and classrooms. I would love for us to have a place of our own so we don’t have to depend on anyone else to meet the needs and wants of our wonderful school!
A big THANK-YOU to DSD1 teacher Tanmay Joshi for guiding his students in interviewing our administrator Nathalie Currie and helping to capture and share her story.
