Ute Steves, our School Principal, joined VWGS in 2012, initially as a teacher, and later added the role of Exam Coordinator and Principal to her duties. She has 30 years teaching experience in DaF, DaZ and ESL gained in both Canada and Germany, including Examiner Certification for the German Language Diploma 1 and 2, International Teacher and Teacher Trainer Certificate ESL and a Canadian TESL and IELTS certification. She currently also works as Lead of the Language Department of a settlement organization on the North Shore and volunteers her time as treasurer on the Board of Directors of the BC Council of Teachers of German (BCCTG) as well as the Board of Directors of the German Council Pacific Coast.