Stefanie Weisseisen-Lund
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Stefanie Weisseisen-Lund connects experience in Austria, Finland and the United States with play-based learning and bilingual education. Her head teacher role at a German–English preschool, Finnish early childhood education experience and studies of the Reggio Emilia approach inform her understanding of learning through environments, relationships and family participation. She holds an Austrian kindergarten teaching diploma and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Turku.
Expertise
Play-based learning and children’s participation
Reggio Emilia-inspired practice and pedagogical documentation
German–English bilingual early childhood education
Social-emotional development and independence
Individualised support and family development meetings
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Team leadership and mentoring interns
Education and professional learning
University of Turku, Finland: Bachelor of Education; qualified teacher in Early Childhood Education and Care.
College for Early Childhood Development, Austria: Nursery School Teacher Diploma.
Reggio Emilia, Italy: International Study Group programme.
Mulberry Methods, USA: Professional development in schematic play and documentation.
Professional learning in Austria: Sensory integration in preschool; supported communication, literacy and the TEACCH approach; physical education in preschool.
Professional and international experience
The New School West, Los Angeles: Teacher; observation, individualised scaffolding and social-emotional development.
Sunshine Early Learning Centre, Tampere: Teacher; Finnish ECEC curriculum, VASU meetings with families and team meetings.
Nature Family School, Los Angeles: Head teacher at a German–English preschool; language, culture and family engagement.
Kindergarten Rheindorf, Austria: Teacher and group leader; intern mentoring and AAC implementation.
Kindergarten Wiesenrain and Kinderbetreuung Milleniumpark, Austria: Preschool teacher.
Los Angeles: Private German language tutoring and support for children’s learning.