Igel
Hedgehogs
Johanna Petosa
Teacher
I grew up in Kärnten (Carinthia), Austria where I studied for five years at a high school for economics and gastronomy. I finished my education in Klagenfurt at a private academy for languages and business. Since I wanted to gain some work experience abroad, I came to San Diego in October 1999 on a student visa and started my practical training in the beautiful Westgate Hotel in Downtown San Diego.
I met my husband Mike here, and in December 2000 we got married in San Diego. Soon after I gave birth to our daughter, Sophia. When my second child, Michael, was born in November 2002, we were already part of a German playgroup. Eight months later, my friend Heike Paulsen and I decided to form a German cooperative preschool and named it “Die Rasselbande” – yes, Die Rasselbande was born in late summer of 2003! We had six children enrolled in no time and rented a room at a recreation center in Pacific Beach three mornings per week. The group kept on growing and we soon realized that we were on to something and needed professionals on board. We hired a German preschool teacher to guide us, and I started to take courses at the community college in Child Development to become a qualified teacher. Over a few years I acquired more than 30 units and am continuing to work towards the bachelor’s degree.
My family grew even bigger in February 2009 when my son Cornelius was born. I enjoy working with children and I am thrilled to be teaching in German, my mother tongue! I am also happy to be able to practice and pass on the traditions I grew up with. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, hiking, swimming, dancing, and playing soccer or board games
Johanna Petosa
Teacher
I grew up in Kärnten (Carinthia), Austria where I studied for five years at a high school for economics and gastronomy. I finished my education in Klagenfurt at a private academy for languages and business. Since I wanted to gain some work experience abroad, I came to San Diego in October 1999 on a student visa and started my practical training in the beautiful Westgate Hotel in Downtown San Diego.
I met my husband Mike here, and in December 2000 we got married in San Diego. Soon after I gave birth to our daughter, Sophia. When my second child, Michael, was born in November 2002, we were already part of a German playgroup. Eight months later, my friend Heike Paulsen and I decided to form a German cooperative preschool and named it “Die Rasselbande” – yes, Die Rasselbande was born in late summer of 2003! We had six children enrolled in no time and rented a room at a recreation center in Pacific Beach three mornings per week. The group kept on growing and we soon realized that we were on to something and needed professionals on board. We hired a German preschool teacher to guide us, and I started to take courses at the community college in Child Development to become a qualified teacher. Over a few years I acquired more than 30 units and am continuing to work towards the bachelor’s degree.
My family grew even bigger in February 2009 when my son Cornelius was born. I enjoy working with children and I am thrilled to be teaching in German, my mother tongue! I am also happy to be able to practice and pass on the traditions I grew up with. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, hiking, swimming, dancing, and playing soccer or board games.
Julia Malyn Heyer
Teacher
I was born and raised in Bremerhaven, Germany, and began working with children shortly after graduating from high school, supporting activity groups at a local primary school. Over the years, my path led me abroad to New Zealand and Australia, where I worked closely with families as a nanny and au pair.
Later, I lived and worked in various places across Germany, including the North Sea island of Amrum, which became a second home. There, I worked in both a forest kindergarten (Waldkindergarten) and a German Red Cross childcare facility. During this time, I also completed an apprenticeship in Tibetan Energy Work, which allowed me to further develop mindfulness, intuition, and sensitivity, all of which support my work with children. I also greatly enjoyed the experience of teaching yoga to children during this period.
In spring 2025, I completed my Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher certification, gaining full teacher qualification.
After some time working independently as an online German language tutor for children, teenagers and adults, I felt ready for a new chapter and joined Die Rasselbande with great excitement in Fall 2024. I am grateful to be part of a multicultural, bilingual community and to be working hands-on with children again, sharing care, presence and joy in everyday moments.