Teaching Faculty
If you are interested in teaching for CSSG, please contact the CSSG director.
Dr. John L. Plews (CSSG Director)
Dr. John L. Plews is Professor of German at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada, and recipient of the Father Stewart Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2021). He is a former President of the Canadian Association of University Teachers of German and a former President and Treasurer of the Halifax Languages Consortium. He studied German and French at the University of Manchester and completed a MA in German Literature at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. He earned a PhD in German Literatures, Languages, & Linguistics and a PhD in Secondary Education, both from the University of Alberta. He is co-editor of several books and journal issues. He researches second language curriculum and teaching, second language learner identities, and study abroad for language learners and language teachers. He is also a DAAD Research Ambassador. He taught at the CSSG from 2009-2012 and became Director in 2016 and has taught there each year since.
Hr. Miguel Moreno
Magister in Germanistik, Romanistik und Pädagogik an der Universität Köln. Zusatzstudium Deutsch als Fremdsprache an der Universität Kassel. Zertifiziert in Methodik und Didaktik für Deutsch als Frendsprache durch das Goethe Institut. Seit 1999 Mitarbeiter der Volkswagen Gruppe als Deutschlehrer in Puebla, Mexiko und Wolfsburg, Deutschland. Koordinator der Deutschabteilung am Sprachenzentrum VW, Kulturbeauftragter und Interkultureller Trainer. Bereits 6mal Dozent der CSSG in Kassel. Ausbuldung zum Internationalen Systemischen Coach und Diplom in Kunsttherapie. Für ihn gibt es nichts aufregenderes als andere Kulturen und neue Menschen kennenzulernen, CSSG bietet beides. Er freut sich auf Euch!
Dr. Meaghan Hepburn
Dr. Meaghan Hepburn currently teaches German at Trent University and was previously an Assistant Professor at the University of New Brunswick, Instructor at the University of Toronto, and Gastdozentin at the Koblenz University of Applied Science. Meaghan’s doctoral research focused on the Memorialization of Aktion T4, and she is fascinated by monuments and museums, and how we remember. Meaghan is the current President of the Canadian Association of Teachers of German, and serves as the Treasurer for German Studies Canada and Seminar: A Journal of Germanic Studies. Meaghan is extremely passionate about teaching the German language as well as the culture, history, and literature of German-speaking countries. Meaghan has proudly learned German through courses, exchanges and experiential learning, including studying at Universität Tübingen and teaching as a PAD in Springe am Deister (Niedersachsen), and brings her love of DaF learning and teaching to the CSSG program. Meaghan loves to explore new cities and try new adventures!
Erica Swyers
Erica Swyers is a Ph.D. candidate in German Studies at the University of Waterloo whose
current research investigates asynchronous online German teaching and learning. A self-
described language-nerd, she is an enthusiastic teacher with a keen interest in language
pedagogy, online learning, and study abroad. After completing a B.A. (Hons) in German from
Memorial University of Newfoundland, she participated in the PAD program at the Goerres-
Gymnasium in Koblenz, Germany. She also completed an M.A. in Intercultural German Studies
at the University of Waterloo and the Universität Mannheim and was awarded the Prize for the
Best Master’s Thesis from the CAUTG (now German Studies Canada) for her study of learner
beliefs and Lego Serious Play. Erica has taught German courses for the University of Waterloo,
Memorial University, the Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität, and the Goethe Institut
Toronto. She is a certified examiner for the Goethe Zertifikat levels A1-B1 and she has
completed the Certificate in University Language Teaching from the University of Waterloo.
When she is not diligently working on her dissertation, she is likely drawing in her sketchbook or
going for a run.
Hr. Adam Franzke
Adam Franzke is a two-time alumnus of CSSG (2008 & 2010), an advocate for second language learning, and an aspiring quadrilingual. In the years since CSSG, Adam has spent time living and working in Berlin and Leipzig, ultimately completing the fluency exam, “Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom.” From 2013-2014, Adam worked as a Foreign Language Assistant for English at two vocational colleges (Henriette Goldschmidt Schule & Ruth-Pfau BSZ für Gesundheit und Sozialwesen) in Leipzig. While at home, he has taught with the German Language School of Edmonton. He also holds a TESOL certificate and has led ESL conversation classes with the Learning and Community Enrichment Program in Edmonton. Adam has worked at the CSSG as a teaching assistant in 2018 and 2024.
Some of our former instructors:
Dr. Daniela Roth taught the A2 course in 2018 and the C1 course in 2019 and 2021-2024. She is currently a LTA assistant professor at Dalhousie University.
Hr. Wes M. Lindinger taught the A2 course 2023 and 2024. He is currently enrolled as a PhD student in York University’s Faculty of Education.
Dr. Kim Misfeldt is Professor of German at the Augustana Campus, University of Alberta. She first taught at the CSSG in 2002–2003 and was Director from 2003–2016.
Fr. Dr. Lisa Süßenbach taught the A2 course in 2019 and the B2 course from 2021-2023. She currently works in applied linguistics in the public sector in Germany
Dr. Christine Korte taught the A2 course in 2022. She currently teaches for NYU Berlin.