Who are we?

We are a family-run Montessori school where the well-being of the child is always the focus. The school management consists of a team of five who are passionate and committed to the best possible education and development of each individual child.

Our focus is on Montessori education. We believe that every child is unique, with their own interests and learning speed. Therefore, we provide the ideal learning environment with appropriate developmental materials that enable children to learn independently and develop their talents.

Our teachers are certified by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and follow the Curriculum 21 of the Canton of Zurich.

We attach great importance to a family atmosphere in our school. Through regular meetings with parents and joint activities, we create a close working relationship between parents, teachers and the school management.

We make sure that each child receives individual support and that their needs are taken seriously. We not only want to impart knowledge to the children, but also promote social skills and help them to grow into self-confident and responsible people.

Francesca Zanotto

Director

With the acquisition of the Montessori schools "d'Insle" and "Sprungbrett" in October 2022, Francesca Zanotto has realized her own lifelong dream of being an entrepreneur and creating something meaningful at the same time. Working with children and being able to have a positive influence on their development is a great life enrichment for her. Working with a highly motivated and professional team, who give their best every day in the care and education of the children, is a privilege for her: "We not only want to provide our children with the best quality education, but also want to be able to give them a safe space and a second home." Francesca Zanotto has a Master's degree in economics from the University of Zurich and a management degree from HSG St. Gallen. In her free time, she devotes herself to what is most important to her - her family.

Angela Malmgren

Head of School d'Insle

Angela Malmgren moved from the USA to Zurich in 2009, where she founded the Montessori school "Sprungbrett" together with Verena Schüepp Lanz. Since then, the two Montessori schools "d'Insle" and "Sprungbrett" have had a firm place in her heart. Passionate about Montessori education, Angela Malmgren completed two AMI Montessori diplomas for the age groups 6-12 and 12-18 and has over 25 years of experience as a teacher in the classroom - "a teacher at heart". She uses her strengths in personnel management, mentoring and business management to get the best out of her team.

Having grown up on a small farm herself, Angela Malmgren has never let go of the importance of environmental sustainability. While she also enjoys spending every free minute in the forest or in the garden in her private life, she can think of nothing more important than being able to share this enthusiasm personally with the children. She also actively engages her musical talents directly with the children.

Cordula Arana

School leadership

Since January 2021, Cordula Arana has been supporting the Montessori schools "d'Insle" and "Sprungbrett" with great commitment in her role as school leader and in the upper elementary classroom. Being able to work with children is a calling for her and - as she says herself - "the greatest gift of all!". Being able to have a positive influence on the development of children is her greatest motivation, which is why she has been in the classroom for over 20 years. After studying education (B.A.) and music in Austria, she supplemented her pedagogical training with the AMI Montessori diplomas for the 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12 age groups, and also has a degree as an AMI trainer for the 6-12 year old child. Cordula Arana has lived in Switzerland since 2003. In her free time, she plays music in an orchestra, enjoys reading and cooking, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Alime Kürtoglu

Head of School Children’s House d'Insle

Since 2008, Alime Kürtoglu has been working with great passion for the Montessori school "d'Insle", which she has not only supported but also helped to develop: "I built up this Children’s House and I see it as my baby, which I will always care for." After training as an early childhood educator, she obtained the AMI diplomas for age groups 0-3 and 3-6. In addition to her role as a member of the school management team, Alime Kürtoglu also works as a school practice expert and supervisor. As a vocational trainer, she supervises all apprenticeship cohorts at both Montessori schools. In addition to her time at school, Ms. Kürtoglu enjoys spending time with her two children and the whole family.

Cisem Kirmizikaya-Acikgöz

School management d'Insle / Sprungbrett

Cisem Kirmizikaya started at "d'Insle" in 2014 and is now responsible for the administrative aspects of both Montessori schools. She completed the "Human Resources & Leadership" course at the Higher Technical School for Business, is a qualified school principal and also works as a school practice consultant and supervisor. Cisem Kirmizikaya attaches great importance to the selection of the staff she hires: "I always imagine that these teachers are teaching my own children and then the choice is no longer difficult - only the best is good enough." Cisem Kirmizikaya prefers to spend her free time with her children and the whole family.

Association memberships