Madelyn McCollough

Originally from Connecticut, my interest in the German language and culture sprang from an opportunity to learn German after school when I was 15, which allowed me to gather more about my heritage by acquainting myself with my great-grandmother’s culture. Though I have always been captured by language-learning, I quickly became enamored with the German language in a way that other languages had not managed. After studying independently for some time, I went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in German Language and Cultural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh (May 2023) and soon thereafter found myself in Austin pursuing a Master’s Degree in German Literature and Culture (May 2025). 

 

I discovered my enthusiasm for working with children at the age of 10, when my little brother was born. Even at this young age, I delighted in helping to take care of him, and later, my sister (born when I was 13). I started working with children in an official capacity at 15 years old, when I became a camp counselor– though I was already an experienced babysitter by that time. During college, I worked as an assistant teacher in a child care center, where I continued honing my ability to work with children. Since then, I have worked primarily with college-aged students, teaching both content- and German-language courses. I very much look forward to melding these two life-long passions as I integrate into the community at GIS.