Moa Junström grew up in Stockholm, Sweden, before relocating to California in her thirties. She has been teaching at the Swedish school since 2021 and enjoys introducing beginners to her native language. With a deep passion for Swedish history, literature, and politics, she often weaves these topics into her lessons. Outside of work, Moa loves spending time with her family and taking long walks with her dog, Ray. She also enjoys cheering on her favorite soccer team, Angel City FC, whenever she gets the chance.
Annika Moore is a native of Sweden who has lived in Malmö, Lund, and Torekov. In 1996 she moved to Ohio, USA, with her two children, then 17 and 14 years old. In Sweden she taught all subjects, grades 4-6. In Ohio she has taught mathematics for 10 years, predominantly working with 9th graders. She currently works full-time as a Math Specialist at Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and part time for the Swedish School.
Björn Norström was born and raised in Hagfors, Värmland in Sweden. He moved to the United States in 1993 to attend college. Björn holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Social Studies Education, a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, and a Post Master’s certificate in Information Technology. He currently works as a middle school teacher in the Phoenix area teaching Career & Technical Education classes (CTE). He has previously taught on the elementary, high school, and college levels. Björn has three children and a cat. He likes to spend time with his family and hike in the Arizona desert.
Fredrik Starmark was born and raised outside of Gothenburg, Sweden. He is Vice President of Context Global, a company which provides custom translation, interpretation, American Sign Language and staffing services to public and private organizations. Fredrik enjoys cooking and travel. He has been teaching at the Swedish School-Svenska Skolan for over 10 years. He currently teaches Advanced level Swedish classes.
Board of Directors
Susan Clark Ashton:
Susan began learning Swedish in the early 2000s at the Swedish school when her son married a Swede. She travels to Sweden when she can to visit her family and loves to practice her Swedish when she is out and about sightseeing and shopping. In addition to her love of visiting Sweden and studying Swedish, Susan is an avid gardener, enjoys reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Carl Ek:
Carl began learning Swedish while living in Malmö as a young man. To retain and improve his command of the language, he resumed his studies at the Swedish School. He has been a member of the school’s board since 2011. Carl is retired from the Library of Congress, where he worked as an analyst for the Congressional Research Service.
John Hunter:
Ever since he was 17 years old as an exchange student living with a family in Västerås, John has been absorbed with everything Swedish, including the language. He began as a student at the Swedish School-Svenska Skolan in 1989 and continued to study for many years. He joined the Board of Directors at its inception. John is a member of the Swedish American Cultural Union and has served on its Board and as President. John had a career as a telecom lawyer and now works with a non-profit that promotes global governance and inclusiveness.
Anne Reis:
Anne is a high school librarian in Howard County, Maryland. Her husband is from Göteborg, Sweden and she has two Swedish-American daughters. Anne began studying Swedish at the Swedish school in 2018. Her goal is to speak fluently with her Swedish relatives one day. Anne is a keen reader who also loves to bike, hike, cook and travel.
Kay Mellander Schmid:
Kay traces her love of Sweden and the Swedish language to growing up in a Swedish-American family with trips to visit relatives in Sweden. She started learning Swedish at The Swedish School in the 1990s, and later had the opportunity to live and work in Stockholm. Today when she’s not doing bookkeeping for The Swedish School, Kay is a children’s piano teacher. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing and listening to music, and of course, speaking Swedish!
Ann-Catrine Skoog Ehmer:
Ann-Catrine Skoog Ehmer started to teach at the school in 2005 and in 2011 she became the Director and retired from this position in 2022.
She continues to serve as a Board member since 2010.
Margareta Storm:
Margareta has been with a Swedish School since 1982 – first , as an instructor and later in 1991 as the Director of the Swedish school. During her tenure as the Director, she obtained recognition from the IRS as “a not for profit “ organization in 1993. Margareta retired from her position as director of the school in December 2010 but has since continued her service on the board.
Virtual Teachers needed
If you are a native Swedish speaker (with a US work permit)
and have teaching experience,
good language and people skills, please email:
Director@theswedishschool.org