Meet the Rella’s Spielhaus Team!
Barbara Rellstab, Founder/Program Director, Preschool Group Teacher
Barbara was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. Growing up in a family of theater professionals, musicians and writers (mother Ursula a journalist for NZZ and, Ludwig Rellstab a great-great uncle) her interest for the performing arts was sparked early on. After the Matura B (Latin & English major) she went to the Schauspiel Akademie Zürich (today’s ZHDK.ch) which at the time was under the direction of her late father, Felix Rellstab. After winning several performance grants and graduating as the Valedictorian, Barbara performed 5 years at German and Swiss “Stadttheater”.
Since 1997 when Barbara came to New York, she performed extensively Off-Broadway (ie lead role(s) in “The Donkey Show” Dir. Diane Paulus), founded the International Department at the International Fringe Theater Festival, and taught voice and Gyrotonic. Barbara also spent 7 years as a Manhattan Real Estate Broker and eager to use the six languages she speaks, traveled the world as a producer for Bugatti International for 3 years.
When her son Oliver was born in 2009, Barbara sensed the need for a “Mommy and Me” Story Time format in German. And in 2011 “Lieder & Geschichten” (now “Kinderklassen”) was created, first as picnic in Central Park, then at the Central Harlem Library and soon in various studios from Brooklyn to White Plains with a total of 16 classes per week. As Barbara got more familiar with the German Language Families of New York, she decided to open the Harlem “Rella’s Spielhaus”, the first German Language Daycare in Manhattan which ran for 9 years. She also completed three semesters at Columbia University’s Teachers College to pursue her MA in Bi-lingual and Bi-cultural Childhood Education and is currently enrolled at Brooklyn College where works towards her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.
For the past 5 years, with the newly renovated Upper West Side Rella’s Spielhaus open und running, Barbara has been as committed as ever to serve the German Language community through various educational offerings: In person in Manhattan and online and in the Tristate Area and along the East Coast.
Saima Sarfaraz, Educational Director
Saima Sarfaraz was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and moved to New York City over twenty years ago. She earned both her BA and MA in Early Childhood Education and is a New York State – certified educator. Saima has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for more than ten years, teaching and supporting children from infancy through 2nd grade.
In the past four years, Saima Sarfaraz has taken on leadership roles that focus on strengthening program quality and supporting best practices in early childhood education. She has worked in both private and Department of Education programs in Manhattan and Brooklyn, giving her a broad range of experience in supporting diverse communities of children and families. She is deeply committed to building strong relationships with children and families, ensuring that each child is nurtured, supported, and encouraged to grow in a safe and engaging environment.
She is excited to be part of Rella’s Spielhaus and looks forward to contributing her experience, passion, and leadership to help the program continue to thrive and grow.
Pamina Lascano, Pre-School Group Teacher
Pamina Lascano is a dedicated teacher and polyglot with a deep passion for teaching and inspiring young children. She holds a Master’s Degree in TESOL from Columbia University’s Teachers College and is currently pursuing her second Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Special Education. With her strong academic foundation and commitment to lifelong learning, Pamina brings both expertise and warmth to her classrooms, creating nurturing spaces where children feel encouraged to grow, explore, and thrive through playful learning and musical aspects.
Her professional journey has included teaching German/English as a second language at Columbia University, the United Nations Language Programme, Saint Peter’s University, Pace University, among other language institutions. Pamina taught young learners German and English as well at Global School Brooklyn, where her multilingual skills and cultural sensitivity have enriched the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds. Pamina loves watching language open doors for her learners, offering them confidence and a sense of belonging, as well as overall strong development.
Before dedicating herself fully to education, Pamina enjoyed a 12-year career as a professional violinist. The discipline, artistry, and collaborative spirit she developed as a musician continue to shape her teaching philosophy today. She often draws on her love of music and the arts to spark curiosity and creativity in the classroom, blending her artistic background with her role as an educator.
Pamina lives in Brooklyn with her husband, where they embrace the city’s vibrant cultural life together. Whether attending concerts, exploring museums, or traveling to support local artists, she continues to celebrate the arts as a lifelong passion. To Pamina, teaching is more than a profession—it is a calling that allows her to combine her love of language, music, and children into a joyful and meaningful career. Pamina participated as a counselor at the Rella’s Summer Camp and is now excited to join as a Preschool Group Teacher at Rella’s!
Lisa Hammel, Toddler Group Teacher
Lisa Hammel was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and moved to the United States in 2012.
When Lisa moved to the US, she lived in various states all across the US, including Arizona, Florida, and the Bay Area, before she moved to New York City in December of 2022. Everywhere she lived, she was a childcare provider for private families with, at times, multiple children and also children with special needs. In 2017, she graduated from Daytona State College in Florida with an associate's degree. Lisa’s special interest lies in the earliest stages of child development. To see the infants and toddlers blossom in her care is her true passion.
Lisa has joined the Rella’s Spielhaus Team in April 2023 and is excited to be the Toddler Assistant Teacher. She lives in midtown Manhattan with her husband Brett who runs a financial start-up and her dog Tanuki who enjoys long walks in Central Park.
Mirlinda Gashi, Preschool Assistant Teacher
Mirlinda Gashi was born in Kosovo and raised in Germany, completing her school education up to 9th grade. She then continued her education in Kosovo, which allowed her to further develop her academic and professional skills. After completing her studies, she began a career as a German teacher, that she devoted five years to. During this time, she shared her passion for the German language and culture, helping her students improve their language skills.
Mirlinda then transitioned into management, where she spent another five years. During this time, she expanded her leadership and organizational skills, gaining valuable experience in team coordination and development.
Mirlinda moved to Manhattan in 2023 with her 3 children to join her husband who moved here to further his career.
Linda, as we call her at Rella’s, is excited to join the Rella’s Spielhaus family, where she can return to her German language roots and her passion for teaching. With her professional care, versatility, and love for children, she is eager to make a meaningful contribution to the children in her care and the Rella’s Team.
Iris Viehweg, Samstagsschule Teacher
Iris was born and raised in Kaiserslautern, a little town amidst the German Palatine Forest. Growing up in a family of teachers and translators, her interest and exposure of various languages was sparked from a young age. In 2015, after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Iris traveled and worked for some years throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast-Asia where she gained her first experience as an English Teacher in Hanoi, Vietnam.
After her return to Germany in 2018, she worked in a world’s leading financial institution in Berlin in different departments for more than six years to learn about global transaction behaviour, world economies and its financial risks.
In 2021 and 2023 her children Lukas and Anastasia were born and reminded her of her passion and the importance of Early Childhood Education. With her husband’s career-related transfer to New York, Iris moved with her family to the Big Apple in 2024 and finalized her career change.
Joining the Rella’s family is a lucky first step and Iris is eager to merge her own German heritage with the German language community in New York. Her highest goal is to provide a playful and secure environment for the Rella’s children to foster their social, emotional and cognitive development.
Elke Nominikat, Samstagsschule, Mini-Klassen, and Online Private Teacher; Marketing Manager
Elke was born and raised in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Fascinated by language, music, and connecting with people from a young age, she studied German Linguistics and Psycholinguistics at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. With a master's degree in hand, she worked in Munich as an Online Community Manager, a field that was new back then, well before “social media” became a major phenomenon.
Since April 2001, Elke has been living and working in New York City, where she has built her life for more than two decades. She managed online communities for over ten years before co-founding an indie music blog and managing indie rock bands, and over the years, has become deeply connected to the city’s creative and cultural scene.
Elke first joined the Rella’s Spielhaus family in the summer of 2023 for its Summer Camp, returned in 2024, and in 2025 took on the role of Co-Director, supporting the program’s activities with her creativity and organizational skills. In addition to her leadership at camp, she shares her knowledge of the German language with children in the Miniklassen, Saturday School, and online classes, always bringing a caring, creative, and upbeat spirit to her teaching.
Elke has authored over a dozen books on computer and travel topics. Outside of teaching, she enjoys drawing, painting, photography, and cooking healthy meals. She also loves tending to her patio flower and veggie garden.