Hanneke holds a degree in Dutch Linguistics from the University of Groningen where she also completed an upper secondary teaching qualification. She worked as an IB teacher and year tutor at the International School in Haren (Groningen) until moving to the UK in 1996. She then worked as an IB Dutch A teacher at the American Community School in Cobham and later as teacher of Dutch in Aberdeen. Hanneke worked as principal examiner for Cambridge International Assessments from 1996 until 2020. She helps students in their preparation for the Leuven CNaVT exam as well as for the NT2 staatsexamen.
Hanneke is a teacher.