About Johanna Lehnert

Hello! My name is Johanna Lehnert, and I am excited to join Washington and Lee this year as the German World Language Teaching Assistant. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in American Studies and German as a Second and Foreign Language at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. Before that, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Teaching (English, Geography, and Educational Sciences) at the University of Cologne, and I also spent a semester abroad at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

I've always loved exploring different cultures and languages, and my studies and work have taken me abroad quite a bit. I taught at the Goethe Summer School in Hangzhou, China, and worked as a Language Assistant at the University of Southern Denmark. In addition, I've been involved in intercultural and language programs, such as with Education First and the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad.

Outside the classroom, I had the opportunity to take part in the Transatlantic Ruhr Fellowship, where I completed an internship in New York City, and I also attended a summer school on Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. These experiences gave me valuable insights into transatlantic exchange, education, and innovation.

In my free time, I enjoy baking and cooking, spending time outdoors, and gardening. I look forward to sharing my language and culture with everyone at W&L!

I chose to apply for the German Teaching Assistant position at Washington and Lee University because I see it as a unique opportunity to combine my passion for teaching with my interest in intercultural exchange. I have always enjoyed working with students in international contexts, whether teaching German in China and Denmark or supporting language learning projects online. The chance to bring my language and culture into the classroom while also experiencing American campus life is especially meaningful to me.

I am excited not only to help students improve their German skills but also to share perspectives on contemporary German society, while learning in return about American culture, history, and student life in Lexington. For me, this position is more than teaching, it's about building bridges and fostering understanding between our cultures.