OUR TEAM
Board of Directors
Camille – President
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.
Alain – Vice-President
A mechanical engineer by trade, Alain Durand worked successively in the construction, automotive, aerospace and now marine industries. He is currently the CFO of Saltchuck Marine, based in Seattle. Alain moved to the Seattle area in 2014 with his family.
His wife Roshini volunteered at EFGS for several years.
He has been on EFGS’ board of directors since 2015, as the treasurer for 3 years, and as its President since January 2019.
Marie-Jo – Education Chair
Raised in French Guiana (Guyane Française), after completing high school, Marie moved to Europe, studying in both France and Portugal. She earned a five-year degree in Foreign Languages and Civilization from the University of Bordeaux, followed by a specialization in European Politics and Economy at the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon (France).
Her early career saw her working at the Department of European Affairs for the local Council of French Guiana (Conseil Régional de Guyane), where she contributed to local development projects.
In 2012, Marie relocated to the United States with her family, transitioning her career towards education. Her commitment to education led her to pursue further studies, culminating in a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Education from North Seattle College.
Outside of her professional life, Marie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family—hiking, canoeing, and exploring nature with her husband and two children.
Michelle – Secretary
Bonjour! I’m Michelle. 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 6 years (and loves it!). We are very happy to be a part of the EFGS community.
Xiaohan – Board Involvement Chair
Xiaohan grew up in Nanjing and Shanghai, China, before moving to Paris at 20 to study at Sciences Po. After over 12 years in Paris, she relocated to Seattle in 2019 with her son, who now attends EFGS. Xiaohan previously worked as a corporate sales manager at a French bank and transitioned to a tech company in payments after moving to the U.S. Recently, she returned to banking in Fintech, combining her expertise from both fields. Passionate about French culture and language learning, Xiaohan is eager to strengthen the connection between EFGS and parents through workshops.
Natasha – Community/Fundraising
Natasha first joined EFGS as an assistant teacher and as a dedicated parent of three students enrolled in our program. Her deep commitment to our mission and her strong sense of community soon led her to join the Board. Natasha brings valuable experience in organization and fundraising, along with a genuine passion for supporting our students and families.
Directors
Laurence - Executive Director
I am Laurence and serve as the Executive Director for EFGS.
I joined the EFGS team in September 2023. Originally from Nancy, France, I studied Foreign Languages at the University of Metz, Marketing at the University of Montpellier, and earned a Master in International Management at ICN School in Nancy and La Salle University in Mexico. My passion for Latin America led me to live in Mexico for 19 years, working in Marketing and Customer Experience for international companies. In 2019, I moved to Seattle, where I met my Mexican husband, and we welcomed our daughter in 2022. In parallel, I am a Yoga trainer (RYT-500) and Low Pressure Fitness Coach. I enjoy traveling, food, hiking, and learning. After teaching Les Petits Apprentis and pursued FLAM teacher certification last year, I have the honor to manage this amazing team and school.
Claire - Operations Manager
My name is Claire. I am EFGS Operations Manager. I was born and raised in Dijon, in the beautiful Burgundy region of France. I hold a Bachelor's degree in English Literary Translation and a Master's degree in Professional Writing and Publishing. After spending 15 years in Paris working as a communications professional and project manager in the digital world, my family and I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2019. I have two children, aged 9 and 11. Last year, I worked at another French school in the area. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking with family and friends, practicing yoga, and planning new adventures to explore the stunning landscapes of the region.
Marie - Pedagogical Coordinator
My name is Marie Gstach. I am originally from Strasbourg, where I studied French Literature and earned my degree as a primary school teacher. I began my career teaching in elementary schools before moving to the Paris region, where I started my family. I have two children, now 17 and 15.In 2015, we relocated to Singapore, where we spent nine wonderful years and traveled extensively across Southeast Asia. It was there that I felt the desire to change paths and became a graphotherapist, specializing in handwriting re-education. I practiced this profession with great passion until 2024, when our family moved to Seattle.There, I first taught in a French school, where I also completed a diploma specializing in Montessori education. I am now delighted to be part of the EFGS team as the online French teacher for middle school students, and I also have the pleasure of serving as the Pedagogical Coordinator.
Level Coordinators/Teachers
Hélène - Elementary Classes Coordinator
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
Zoe – Petits Bouts
Bonjour! My name is Zoe. I was born in Ireland from French parents and moved to Redmond when I was just one years old. Since then, I’ve been part of this wonderful EFGS community as a student and assistant. Now, I’m excited to return as a teacher while continuing my studies in Elementary Education.
In my free time, I like to paint, dance, and I enjoy spending time with my cat, Winter.
I recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Paris Olympics, which was an unforgettable experience, allowing me to keep my ability to speak French fluently. I’m looking forward to bringing my love of learning, creativity, and the French language to the classroom.
Sonia – Petits Apprentis
Bonjour! I am Sonia and I am very excited to join the team EFGS as the new teacher for the class Petits Apprentis. My background is an International Business Master in Paris, where I come from. I had the opportunity to leave and work abroad (Chile and Spain). And my path led me to Seattle in 2008, with my Spanish husband. After working in aeronautical industry during 3 years in Seattle, the family started to grow. I dedicated the last ten years to our family, partially homeschooling and creating an outdoor school. Our two sons have been enrolled in EFGS for four years and they love it! It is really nice to have this French community and to spend time with other Francophone families. Last year I have been doing many substitution at EFGS, mostly in the Maternelle classes. In parallel, I was getting my FLAM Certificate, which reinforces my desire to teach to young kids. As a family, we enjoy all the outdoor activities that PNW can offer (hiking, camping, skiing, biking).
Lauriane – Petits Ecoliers
Hi! I am Lauriane. Born in Manosque, France, I grew up in Madagascar,and studied in Switzerland. I started my career as an interior architect inMauritius and South Africa, and moved to Seattle in 2024 with my husbandand our 3 children. Since 2014, I have been working at school libraries,organising workshops in elementary schools, homeschooling, and involvedin school boards and PTAs. My children have experienced many differentcurriculums, from which I have learned extensively, and developed apassion for education, leading me to EFGS. Our family loves reading, goingto the beach, cooking, playing board games and discovering new places.
Caroline – Ecoliers 1
My name is Caroline. I was born in a small town near Grenoble and spent my childhood and university years in France, I have a Masters’ in Education and Teaching a Second Language. After finishing school, I moved to North America, first to New England, then Toronto. The Seattle area has been my home since 2013. I taught French to children and adults at the Alliance Francaise in Boston. I also worked in the tech industry for a
while doing translation. More recently, I was a kindergarten and pre-K teacher for over five years in a French immersion school. I have two children who are 7 and 10 years old. In our free time, we love being outdoors as a family camping, biking or skiing.
Viola – Ecoliers 2
Bonjour! My name is Viola, and I will be teaching Écoliers 2 this year. This is my second year at EFGS, and I am excited for another great year with this beautiful francophone community! I grew up in the Seattle area speaking French at school before moving to the Paris region for university, where I lived for two years studying comparative linguistics and literature at Paris III. Then, I returned to the US where I completed degrees in Molecular Biology and French at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. During the week, I work as a nurse technician on an oncology ward. In my free time, I love to cook, run, learn languages, and spend time with friends and family. I look forward to meeting you!
Sophie – Experts
Hi, I am Sophie. I am French, from Val d’Oise, in France, and I moved to the United States with my family 10 years ago. I lived in Brooklyn for 3 years; then, we settled in the Seattle area 7 years ago. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Aspen University. I worked as a Registered Nurse in France for 10 years and contnue to work in a medical center. I joined the EFGS team from 2018 to 2022, teaching French to Ecoliers 2, and I returned to work with the EFGS in 2024 to contnue teaching French to the Experts level. As a mother, I believe that learning one's own mother tongue is essental for my kids; therefore, my daughter attends the EFGS. In my free time, I enjoy listening to a wide range of music, and I take piano lessons. I also love baking pastries, breads, and “Viennoiseries” for my family.
Helene – Grands Ecoliers 1 - Experts online
Hi, I am Helene. 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”.
Soley – Grands Ecoliers 2
Hi, I’m Soley. I’m originally from Iceland and Bolivia. After high school I moved to France as an au pair and ended up staying for six years. I studied International Business in Toulouse and got to live in Rennes and Paris too! I started working with children when I moved to France and have since had the opportunity to work in different roles such as a nanny, teacher’s assistant, preschool and substitute teacher. Having lived in four different countries and speaking four languages fluently (English, Spanish, Icelandic, and French), I’m passionate about bilingual education and creating a fun, welcoming environment where children can develop their language skills and confidence. During the week, I work in social media marketing for an education non profit. I enjoy doing yoga, cooking, spending time outdoors, and discovering new places. I’m so excited to be teaching Grands Écoliers 2 this year and to be part of the EFGS community!
Angelle – Collégiens 1
Hi, I am Angelle. I grew up in Marseille, France where I did all of my schooling. I then moved to Aberdeen, Scotland, where I attended university and studied Linguistics. I recently moved back to the United States, first working as a Teacher’s Assistant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and later as a Teacher’s Assistant at an elementary school in the Seattle area. With a background in Linguistics and experience working with elementary students, I enjoy helping students develop their language skills. Outside the classroom, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and getting lost in a good book or movie.
Sarah – Collégiens 2
My name is Sarah. I'm originally from Nantes, France, and I moved to Seattle three years ago. We've been living in the U.S. since 2009, and we're now empty nesters with two bilingual children. I truly believe that growing up in a bilingual environment brings great benefits. I'm a certified physics and chemistry teacher with a master's degree in signal processing. I've taught students from middle school through university, and I've also worked as a developer in various industries. I currently teach at the Alliance Française as well. I look forward to engaging your children in conversations in French! Outside of work, I enjoy knitting and spending time with my two little cats, Mimi and Loulou.
Olivia – Collégiens 3/ Lyceens
Hello, my name is Olivia LePage. I was born in France and raised in Quebec, and I am the proud mother of three daughters. I began teaching languages at the secondary level in 2004 and am excited to be teaching with EFGS for a second time.My philosophy of language learning is that it is best achieved through practice, repetition, and meaningful context. In our Saturday classes, we will incorporate games and interactive activities to support hands-on learning and help students develop confidence in using the language.As a teacher, my role is to guide learners on their language-learning journey, providing encouragement, structure, and opportunities for growth. I am thrilled to be here and look forward to a wonderful year of learning together.
Cyril – Lycéens online
I was born and raised in the south of France, close to Marseille. My career started in Croatia, where taught French to military officers. Then I went back to France to pass my certification to be an elementary school teacher. That brought me to Arles, to teach in grade 5 for three years before moving to USA. I worked 18 years at FASPS on Mercer Island, mainly in garde 3 to 5, where I learnt a lot about differentiation and American pedagogy. Also, I am a nature lover, particularly the sea where I enjoy the waves and diving. I have two boys, turning 16 and 19 years old this year.
Assistants
Fred, Coordinator of Assistants
Originally from Canada, I was born the nation’s capital of Ottawa and grew up primarily in the Montréal metro area. I grew up in a bilingual family but spent nearly all of my formative years in a francophone learning environment. My family moved to the United States in my very late teen years. We now return to Québec City as often as we can to visit family and enjoy our many favorites from “Québecois” culture.
I’ve spent many decades working as a UX engineer, designer, and leader/manager. Throughout my career, and as a parent, education has always been a large part of my life. After being a classroom assistant for several years, I’m transitioning into the Coordinator of assistants role where I hope to take our already great assistants to the next level and help make our EFGS classroom experience even more amazing for your children.
