Teachers

We employ native speaking certified language instructors with experience in Dutch/Flemish Language instruction in a variety of settings. All of our teachers are allowed to administer the CNaVT.
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Alexandra van Oeteren, founder, Flemish, has a Masters in Dutch/English, a high school teaching certificate, a diploma in Theatre Science and an NTC Leadership Certification. She also has an MBA in General Management. She has taught adults and children both in classroom and private settings for over 20 years. She is a certified examiner for the CNaVT (Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language) and was an academic Dutch tutor at Northwestern University. She was the principal of an NTC school in the US for over 15 years. She lives in the Chicago Suburbs and teaches small groups, private lessons and online lessons. 
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Davina Dhondt, Flemish, has a Bachelor's degree in Dutch and History and is certified to teach. Davina taught Dutch in diverse settings to students of different ages and various levels. Being a jack of all trades she has worked in a variety of industries (hospitality, sales, management, ...) but the one thing that she always comes back to is her first love: teaching. She lives in the Washington DC area and teaches online lessons, small groups and private lessons.
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Katleen Speelman, Flemish, has a Masters in History and a high school teaching certificate, she has taught history and general subject courses s.a. Dutch for almost 17 years. She is passionate about food and the European culture. She loves to take her students on Virtual and Culinary Trips to Europe and provides European Cooking Classes. She lives in Milwaukee and teaches online lessons and private lessons. 
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Sarah Soetewey, Flemish, has a Masters in Orthopedagogy and worked in various schools in Antwerp, Belgium. She is a Learning Specialist in an elementary school in Oregon and works with children with learning and behavioral disabilities, autism, cognitive delays and gifted students. Sarah beliefs that building a positive relationship with students and their families is the key to success. Sarah and her American husband have two young children. Sarah loves to run, bake, read, and wants to instill her love for reading and language in her students.
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​Esther Sunnex, Dutch, has a grade school teaching degree. She taught in various primary schools before moving to New Zealand with her Kiwi husband. Besides being a homeschooling mother of five, Esther had her own small company sewing and selling baby carriers and worked in a Dutch pancake house. She also translates books from Dutch to English. She lives in a small town in New Zealand that was the location of the Hobbiton Movie set.
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​Irene van Kimmenade, Dutch, has two master degrees in teaching and remedial teaching. While living overseas, she worked for the Dutch Language School, teaching children and adults the Dutch language. She also gained experience working in different parts of the world like Australia and the Caribbean teaching children of different cultures and backgrounds.
Irene also taught Dutch as a second language in a number of international schools.
In her own words: "I would love to help students who like to learn or improve the Dutch language, at any level. I'm innovative and I keep the lessons interesting and varied." 
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Glenn De Bont, Flemish, has a BA in Education and an AA in Theatre Arts. Glenn was a language teacher in Sweden and taught at several Flemish elementary schools in Brussels before moving to LA in 2011. He taught drama and was as a teacher at the Dutch School of Southern California. Glenn has also recorded English and Dutch voice-overs, has worked as an English-Dutch translator and actor. Last year, he was hired as a linguist to check Dutch and Flemish dubbing and subtitles of Hollywood-movies. He currently lives by Downtown LA.