Au Pair in America Names Winners of the 2026 Au Pair of the Year Award
From Wildfires to Cross-Country Moves, This Year’s Winners Showed Up When It Mattered Most
Stamford, Conn. – February 20, 2026 – Au Pair in America®, the nation’s first and longest-running au pair program, is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Au Pair of the Year Award.
Nominated by Au Pair in America host families nationwide, the Au Pair of the Year Award recognizes first, second, and third-place winners, along with three honorable mentions, who exemplify the heart of cultural exchange through exceptional childcare. This year’s winners supported families through extraordinary circumstances—helping them recover after wildfires, navigate demanding pilot schedules and major life transitions, and care for children with severe autism.
1st Place: Gabriela Wojtowicz from Poland — Hosted by the Grove family in Pacific Palisades, California, Gabriela provided steady support as they navigated their son’s recent autism diagnosis, and later, when the January 2025 Palisades fire devastated their neighborhood and destroyed their home. Describing the days and weeks after the fire, Gabriela’s host mom shared:
“The kids were confused and sad. They had lost everything they had ever known. Gabby was there, quietly helping them find comfort. She played, read, [and] went to the donation centers for small items that gave them something familiar to hold on to. She helped keep routines alive when everything else disappeared.”
2nd Place: Michaela Trampotova from the Czech Republic — Hosted first in Colorado and later in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Michaela stepped into a busy household of four children and two airline pilot parents during a year filled with unexpected medical challenges, a cross-country move, and emotional transitions. As a long-time host family since 2012, host mom Jessica said they “have never felt so sure that our au pair was the Au Pair of the Year until now.”
3rd Place: Lou Khalil from France — Hosted by the Glosser family in Temple Terrace, Florida, Lou earned praise for her patience, warmth, and initiative—particularly in supporting a child with autism and anxiety. Her host mom shared:
“Lou is patient, kind, joyful, and loving with our children… She has helped them grow their emotional regulation skills, especially with our son, who has autism and anxiety.”
Honorable Mentions
In addition to the top three winners, Au Pair in America recognized three honorable mentions for their outstanding contributions:
- Natalia Jimenez from Colombia, hosted in Peachtree City, GA, supported her host family through serious illness and provided dedicated care to a nonverbal child with severe autism.
- Patrice Tschelzek from Germany, hosted in Washington, D.C., provided compassionate and joyful childcare while the family was grieving the loss of their husband and father, a U.S. Navy Reserve Captain, during his military service.
- Ana Paula from Argentina, hosted in Scarsdale, NY, brought professional expertise and playful warmth to her host family and extended her stay for a second year after forming strong bonds with their children.
This year’s awards come during a special milestone for Au Pair in America. The 2026 Au Pair of the Year Awards mark the 40th anniversary of the au pair program in the U.S.—a legacy built on the belief that cultural exchange has the power to bring people closer, broaden perspectives, and create lasting impact. As the nation’s first au pair program, Au Pair in America has spent four decades matching families with caring, qualified au pairs from around the world, offering intercultural childcare that goes above and beyond.
For further details, please contact Ana Wright (aifsmedia@aifs.com).
About Au Pair in America
Au Pair in America, the first au pair program in the U.S., combines live-in childcare and cultural exchange for a rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. Au Pair in America recruits au pairs from over 60 countries, offering families across the U.S. dependable, flexible childcare that meets their unique needs. Learn more at aupairinamerica.com.