Whoarewe

Level Coordinators/Teachers

Aurélie T

Hélène

Aurélie is the Collégiens 2 in person teacher, as well as the PreK-K level coordinator. She has been involved in early childhood education for over 10 years, as a volunteer, assistant, and teacher. She holds an early childhood Montessori teaching certificate (3-6 years old).
Aurélie was born and grew up near Paris and moved to the Seattle area 15 years ago. She currently lives in Kirkland with her husband and their two children. Together, they enjoy exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest and traveling back to Brittany and Italy to visit their family.

My name is Hélène. I was born and raised in Montréal, Canada. I completed my Bachelor degree in Special Education with a specialty in Learning difficulties, and taught 18 years in First Grade. I have been living in this magnificent PNW region since 2004. I enjoy spending my free time with my husband, and my two grown up boys. I have been with E.F.G.S. since January 2011. This school year, I will be teaching Les Grands Écoliers 2 online and Les Grands-Écoliers 1 in person. I am as well the Program Coordinator for the Elementary Level. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, reading, camping, hicking, gardening, and exploring Washington and all it has to offer. Before concluding, I would like to share this beautiful quote from Maria Montessori "The joy of learning is as essential to intelligence as breathing to the runner".

Teachers

Eléonore

Muriel

I'm Eléonore and I'm really glad to work with you.
I was born and raised in Normandy. Before my move to Seattle, I lived with my family near Paris for 15 years.
After my master's degree in midwifery in France. I worked almost 10 years with pregnant women. Then, 6 years ago, I became a teacher in midwifery for health's students. This year, I started a Master's degree in French teaching : "Enseigner le français à l'étranger premier degré" with Mission Laïque Française.
I like to cook, especially French pastry and I love music. With my husband and our two children (4 and 8 years old), we love to hike, ski and travel. We are really happy to live in the "Emerald City".

Muriel Vasseur has been a teacher at the EFGS association since 2015. She left her native country of France, and her region of Franche-Comté, to live a great adventure in the USA with her husband and to build a family there. Eager to find a Francophone association to meet other people speaking French, she had the opportunity to register her two children from a young age to EFGS school. Happy with this new conjunction, she made her debut at EFGS as a volunteer in the early grades. Passionate about this profession and dedicated, she invested a lot in her first 3 years of teaching in the early childhood classes. She then had the chance to teach the older ones in elementary school. An interactive level that she loves while willingly taking care of the little ones. Creative mind and attracted to visual art, she always has this desire to find new tools and ideas both visual and fun to allow the student to learn French while having fun.
Her first objective is achieved if the child is happy to come and share good times in his class with his French-speaking friends. She frees herself in her house to do crafts and artistic creations, she loves to maintain her garden. Her children are now 13 and 14 years old, a good age to discover new places and new activities with the family. She will end with this beautiful quote from Norbert Kalfon « Teaching a language is proposing a trip, learning it is leaving » So let's go on a trip!

Cécile

Nadège

Bonjour! My name is Cécile Munro-Lynch and I have been working at EFGS for several years in the past. I got my teaching degree in France in 2003, and taught there before moving to Seattle for the first time in 2006. In 2008, I went back to France for a master’s degree in teaching French as a second language, which I completed in 2010. I am also passionate about the Montessori philosophy and have been doing some independent study of the topic over the past two years.
I grew up in Normandy near Evreux and I love to go back there when I have the opportunity. I met my husband two years after moving to Seattle and we now live in the Seattle area with our two sons aged 11 and 4. We really enjoy our life in the Pacific Northwest and we love the outdoors (hiking, biking, kayaking…).
I am really delighted to be back at EFGS this year and I will be teaching “Les Ecoliers 1” (in person).

Nadege Margaria is from Nice France. Right after finishing her "Maitrise d'Histoire de l'Art", at Aix-Marseilles University in Aix-en-Provence in May 2003, she moved to the States in San Diego CA. Being completely immersed in the American culture, she quickly became bilingual. San Diego is where she started her Yoga journey, she then became an instructor, and started teaching dance classes during that time as well.
Her passion for teaching is obvious.
In 2005 she returned to Nice for 3 years where she taught dance and yoga all over the French Riviera. In 2008 she returned to the States, this time moving to Leavenworth WA. She then kept teaching dance, yoga and fitness, and was the French tutor for 2 school girls for 4 years. She got her Fitness and Health Coach certification through NASM in 2020. This last Spring she got a full time job at the French Immersion School of WA and moved with her teenager to Issaquah, which they love! She will be teaching the Saturday morning class Ecoliers 2

Virginie

Audrey

I was born and raised in France, in a small village near Dijon, Burgundy. After high school, I left France to go to England to learn English. This is where I discovered a passion for travel which led me to work in the travel and airline industry for more than 7 years.
I moved a lot and lived in different countries the past 24 years including 2 years in England, 2 years in Canada, 10 years in Ireland and now 11 years here in the U.S.A.
I have two daughters and together with my husband we enjoy the numerous outdoor activities the region has to offer from mountain biking, hiking to snowboarding.
I'm happy to be back and teach the same class for a second year.

Bonjour. My name is Audrey, I was born and raised in a small village in the south of France. I got my teaching degree and moved from Toulouse to Paris suburbs to become a French government-certified primary school teacher in 2003. I taught in elementary schools until 2014 when, with our two children, we followed my husband who came to the Seattle area to fulfill his dreams of working for a big tech company.
Pedagogy, psychology, neurosciences, special education, and education in general are my passions. I truly believe every child has the potential to learn, and it is up to us, teachers, to offer them learning situations that can help them build their knowledge and expand their curiosity, motivation, and love to learn. I became a Montessori certified teacher for the 3 to 6, then 6 to 9 years old, at first to help my severely disabled son and then, help all my students to learn better. As education is constantly evolving, as I am curious, and I love to learn and stay on top of research and innovations in pedagogy, I continue to educate myself through multiple trainings and certifications related to neurosciences, education, sciences of reading, and special education.
Due to my son's health issues, I am not able to work full time in a classroom anymore, so I created, in 2018, a small tutoring organization where I teach, after school, students individually or in very small groups in French adapting my methods, materials, and learning situations to their goals, likes, and needs. However, I missed being in a classroom, I missed the energy and motion of students being in a group and being part of a team of educators. EFGS gave me this opportunity and I am very glad and excited to be there and to do what I love.

Cyrille

Bonjour ! Originally from the Paris area, I came to Seattle after I received my Master’s degree in English and US Social Studies. I first taught French at Highline College and then transitioned to teaching English to our population of immigrants and refugees in the Greater Seattle. I later received a post-Master’s degree from Seattle U in Education and Language Teaching. Throughout my career as an educator, I’ve developed a deep passion for cultures, languages, literacy, diversity, and inclusion. My daughter has been a student at EFGS for 10 years now. As a parent, I’ve volunteered in my child’s classrooms and also coordinated our very own library system for a few years. This school year, I will teach the Collégiens 1 in-person class alongside Lisa. I am looking forward to helping our children develop their love and mastery of our French language, and explore the many francophone cultures! When my time is not spent teaching, I love to be with friends and family, hiking, camping, reading, travelling, and always learning.

Laurence C

Hello! I'm Laurence Caille, and I joined the EFGS team in September 2023. Originally hailing from Nancy in the northeast of France, my educational journey has taken me through various corners of the world. I pursued my studies in Foreign Languages at the University of Metz, continued in Marketing and Business at the University of Montpellier, and completed a Master's in International Management at ICN School in Nancy and La Salle University in Mexico.
My passion for Latin America led me to spend a significant portion of my life in Mexico, where I resided for 19 years. During my time there, I had the privilege of working for several international companies in the fields of Marketing and Customer Experience. In 2019, my career took me to Seattle, where I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting my Mexican (!) husband, resulting in the joyous arrival of our daughter in 2022.
From a young age, I've had a deep affection for working with children, earning my certification as a kids' entertainer (BAFA) and dedicating many years to this endeavor. Furthermore, I hold a certification as a Yoga trainer (RYT-500) and am also a Low Pressure Fitness/Hypopressive Coach, helping women regain their health, particularly after giving birth. I love traveling, eating good food, hiking and learning.
I am truly thankful for the opportunity to teach at Les Petits Apprentis and to simultaneously undergo the FLAM teacher certification training. My objective is to bring joy to children while teaching them French and ensuring they have a great time during the learning process.

Laurence T

Magali

I was born in Avignon, France and was raised in a small village in Luberon. I studied history at the Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse and received a Master’s Degree from the Université Montpellier III Paul Valéry. I attended the Institut Catholique de Toulouse to prepare for my teaching certificate and trained at the Institut Supérieur de Pédagogie Paris. I have been teaching for the past 30 years and I am certified by the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale. I have taught in Middle School, High School and a Technical Arts school in both France and the United States. I live in Washington DC with my son and my American husband who I met in Paris. I am very excited to join the EFGS’ team this year.

Assistants

Michelle

Natasha

Bonjour! I’m Michelle, and I am excited to join the EFGS team as an assistant to Cecile for “Les Ecoliers 1.” I look forward to supporting the children to have fun learning French while also pursuing the FLAM teacher certification. I have had a passion for the French language since
university where I earned my undergraduate degree in Foreign Languages from Washington State University. I had the opportunity to study at the Universidad de Las Americas in Puebla, Mexico; and the Université de Franche-Comte in Besancon, and the Université de Nice, in Nice, France.
I have worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years and reside with my family in Seattle where we enjoy the mountains, ferry rides, and traveling both locally and internationally. My husband is French, and our daughter has attended EFGS for almost 5 years (and loves it!). We are very happy to be a part of the EFGS community.

Bonjour! I’m Natasha. I was born in Brazil and moved to Montreal, Canada when I was 9 years old. That is where I learned and fell in love with the French language. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degree in Economics in Canada and in 2009, I moved to Seattle to join my husband. This year, I have decided to explore my love for languages, join the fabulous team at EFGS, and undergo training to become a certified French teacher.
I am a mom to 3 kids who are all students at EFGS! In my free time, I enjoy reading, ice skating, baking and traveling with my family.
This year I will be assisting Nadège in the Saturday morning class Ecoliers 2.

Fred

Catherine

Catherine holds a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She began her teaching journey in 2014 with a Teach For America placement in the Mississippi Delta. Most recently, she taught in a bilingual Montessori school in New Orleans. Catherine also teaches at North Seattle French School. Despite being born in British Guyana, she spent her formative years in the picturesque Alpine region of Haute Savoie, France. When not teaching, Catherine loves to stay active and indulges in skiing, yoga, biking, rock climbing, and kayaking.

Diego

Marco

Tess

Renn

Rohan

Directors

Lisa

Aurélie V

I am very honored and pleased to be the new EFGS Program Director as well as the Lycéens teacher. I have been working at EFGS first as a volunteer then as a teacher for the past 5 years, while working fulltime at a private local school as a French, Spanish and Video Production teacher. I was born in Normandy, France, in a family of 3 children and bathed in a multicultural environment through my mother who is from Réunion island (French territory). I completed my Bachelor and my Master’s degree in Education and teaching, as well as achieving the “concours de l’Éducation Nationale” in France. I arrived in the US (in Seattle) in August 2016. I am now married to an American, and I have a 07-year-old stepdaughter.

Aurelie is the Executive Director of EFGS, in charge of all the things that are not related to the academic part of the program :-)
She has been in the US for 13 years, and in Seattle for 6. She was on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer until three years ago when she took over the Finance/Admin Direction. Her 3 kids are at EFGS, 2 of whom Collégiens in the online program, and one in the in-person Grand Ecoliers class. She enjoys the Pacific Northwest very much being an avid hiker and backpacker.

Board of Directors

Alain President

Arnaud Vice President

A mechanical engineer by trade, Alain Durand worked successively in the construction, automotive and aerospace industries. After in financial then general management positions. He is currently the CFO of TEAGUE, a leading design firm based in Seattle. Alain moved to Seattle in 2014 with his family. His wife Roshini volunteered at EFGS for several years. He has been on EFGS board since 2015, as the treasurer for 3 years, and as it s President since January 2019.

Arnaud has an engineering background and worked for different major software companies as a sales engineer or as a partner manager. Arnaud is originally from France where he spent his time between Paris and Brittany. His parents and twin brother still live in Brittany where he loves travelling there when travels are permitted. He moved to Seattle, WA in 2017 with his lovely wife Emmanuelle and two young kids, Maxence (10 yo) and Aurel (6yo). Both kids speak French fluently and are enrolled at EFGS in Petite Section and Grand Ecolier.Arnaud values communication and acknowledges French language also as a vehicle of the French culture. He appreciates how EFGS allows his kids to also keep a strong connection with their French roots and hopes that this will help many other families to get exposed to it as well.

Céline Secretary

Ludovic Board Involvement Chair

Born in the USA from French parents, she grew up in Rouen, on the Seine river and would spend her summers in Brittany. At the end of her School of Engineering master program, she did a 6-month internship in Bellevue for a software company and fell in love with the region.
She has now lived in the Puget Sound since 2003 with her husband Scott, Scott’s son, Noah, and their two daughters, Chloé and Léa.
Céline understands deeply the challenges of bilingualism raising the girls in a bilingual family and was thrilled to find the EFGS FLAM program for them to strengthen their connection to the French language and cultures, and to value their bilingual uniqueness and cultivate it.
After volunteering regularly for the program, Céline got the opportunity to get involved in a more direct way and support the managing board by taking on the new role of Program Director in August 2016. She then transitioned to Assistant Director 2 years later when she moved to Bellingham. in 2021, after retiring from the position, she joined the EFGS board as she wished to continue to contribute to its mission.

Ludovic is originally from France and came to the United States in 2009 with his wife Sara, who is originally from Seattle. After living in New York City, they moved to San Francisco in 2010, and then to Seattle in 2013. They have 3 children, Alexandre, Margot and Elliot. Alexandre and Margot speak French fluently and are enrolled at EFGS. The youngest, Elliott, will do the same once he's old enough. Throughout his professional career, Ludovic has worked in team and project management to localize content for video game publishers. French education is an important value for his family so Ludovic is excited to contribute to expanding Francophone culture in Seattle.

Sophie Co-Founder & Communication Chair

Megan Community Chair

Originally from France, Sophie moved to the US in 2000 and to Seattle in 2008 with her family. Not long after her arrival in the PNW, she worked with a small group of francophone parents to start a French afterschool program in the area. Their vision was to offer their children a place where they could get a quality French language education and build friendships within the community. This would become EFGS in 2009. As one of the founders, she served on the Board as its President until 2017 and stays actively involved on an Honorary basis. While her background is in Business and Marketing, she is pursuing her interest in providing solutions to families facing the challenges of raising bilingual children

A native Californian, Megan studied French in school and spent a year in Rennes in Brittany going to lycée and living with a host family. She has worked as an engineer and project manager in aerospace followed by a short stint with a big tech company. She moved with her family to Seattle in 2020 and found EFGS soon after. Her children Poppy, Piper, and Félix speak French and Mandarin at home, and value both the education and the rich community ties that EFGS brings. When not volunteering with EFGS, Megan enjoys bouldering and playing classical music.

Camille Treasurer

Marie-Jo Education Chair

Camille was born in France. She started her career in finance in London and Hong Kong and first came to the US in 2014 to get her MBA. After graduating, she joined a tech company working on digital content acquisition and distribution. Camille moved back to the US and to Seattle in 2020 with her husband Frederic and their two sons, Theodore and Benjamin. The family speaks French at home and are very glad to have the EFGS support their efforts to have bilingual kids. They love to spend time in the French Landes every summer and enjoy skiing and sailing in the PNW the rest of the year.

OUR WONDERFUL TEAM

Level Coordinators/Teachers​