L'Etoile French Immersion School

A native of Nantes, France, Joséphine earned her undergraduate degree in biology and geology before going on to earn a master’s degree in teaching in 2016. As a teacher certified through the Ministry of Education she taught for 8 years in French public schools in grades kindergarten through 5th. Her aim is to honor her students’ individual paths while challenging them to grow, develop, and flourish in their capabilities. She encourages her students to work at their own pace but still take advantage of the collaborative spirit in the classroom. In her free time Joséphine enjoys swimming, skiing, tennis, and playing the flute!

After receiving her teaching degree in Aix-en-Provence, Nathalie moved to La Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, where she taught maternelle from 2000 to 2004. She went on from there to teach elementary at the Lycée Français de Caracas in Venezuela from 2004-2010. Her desire to explore America led her to the International school of Arizona and then to Portland. At L’Etoile, her experience includes teaching 4/5 grade and directing pedagogy.

Jenny has been a dedicated member of our school community for many years, having both of her children attend L’Etoile. With a background in teaching for over 20 years, Jenny brings experience and passion for education to her role. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and shopping. A natural event planner, she finds joy in organizing and bringing people together for memorable experiences.

Native to the Franche-Comté region, Clémentine graduated in Child Psychology from the University of Lyon where she developed a strong interest in different learning styles. She earned her Masters degree in Education at the University of Nimes with a focus on bilingualism. Clémentine has taught both in the South of France in the public system and in a French immersion school in California. She prioritizes giving her students a place to learn at their own pace in a caring environment, as she hopes to see them grow up and learn with confidence.

Joëlle began teaching in 1995 in France. While teaching, she completed a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Nancy II. In 2013, her interest in teaching abroad brought her to Portland. At L’Etoile, Joëlle strives to create a nurturing, engaging environment where the children can feel secure and learn at their own pace, in harmony with their personalities.

Lola’s appreciation for the Pacific Northwest developed when she was studying art history at the University of Washington – where she earned her first master’s degree – in 2014. After that she traveled and worked in England and Canada before attending the University of Montpellier to earn her second master’s degree in teaching. From 2017, Lola has been teaching in preschool and in various elementary grades. Her teaching philosophy starts with building a positive classroom environment by emphasizing empathy, kindness, and inclusivity. In her free time Lola enjoys running, hiking, camping, and doing triathlons.

Lucie holds a master’s degree in teaching from Université Paris-Sud. She has most recently been teaching elementary school in Évry-Courcouronnes, where she also worked with students with special needs. We are thrilled to have her join our team and bring her expertise and passion to our community.

Sébastien grew up in the south of France near Marseille close to the Mediterranean Sea where the sun always shines. After obtaining a college degree in Sport Science and Sport Management, he decided to get his teaching certification. After 2 years of classes, he passed the teaching exam and became an elementary school teacher.He taught in France from 2002 to 2008, but decided to move abroad. His first teaching job in the USA was at FAIS in Portland. He stayed there for 3 years before moving to the Oregon Coast. For 8 years, he became an entrepreneur and enriched his career with new skills and experiences. In 2019, he returned to Portland and started a new teaching career at L’Etoile a French Immersion School as a physical education teacher. He is deeply passionate about teaching sports to elementary school students because it allows him to instill a love for physical activity, teamwork, and confidence in young learners during their formative years. Outside of school, you can always find Sébastien on the pickleball court playing or coaching.

Mélissa grew up in the Bourgogne region of France and completed her English degree in Dijon and her Masters in Education in Auxerre. Her first few years professionally were very formative, teaching many grades in a French public school. In 2021 she crossed the ocean to join L’Etoile, where she had interned in 2018. This will be her second year teaching 1st grade, an important year, where students develop foundational academic and social emotional skills. Mélissa strives to do everything she can to support her students to achieve their milestones in an atmosphere of openness, kindness, and positivity.

Rémi is originally from Brittany in the west of France, a region that he celebrates with his students by exploring its deep traditions. Earning his master’s degree in teaching in Nantes in 2015, with additional study of the English and Spanish languages, Rémi has worked in French public kindergarten and elementary schools since 2016. Additionally he has led summer camps both locally in France and abroad. In his classroom he strives to ensure the well being of his students and encourage them to collaborate with fellow classmates during projects and group time. In Rémi’s free time he enjoys sports including waveski -a mix of surfing and kayaking- windsurfing, badminton and hiking.

A seasoned teacher with a Master’s degree in teaching, Sarah spent most of her career teaching first and second grades, as well as preschool and parent/child classes. Sarah is passionate about early literacy, and enjoys using music and poetry to help language come alive. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, singing, and exploring the city with her family, including five-year-old twin daughters. Sarah strives to build self-confidence in her students by providing a warm environment where questions and the exchange of ideas are welcomed.

Joëlle brings her extensive experience as both an educator and administrator to her role as Head of School at L’Étoile. With an undergraduate degree from Stanford and a master’s degree in education from Portland State University, Joëlle spent nearly a decade teaching elementary-aged children, first in Portland Public Schools and later at the Bryn Mawr School, a recognized leader among independent, college-preparatory schools on the East Coast. During her teaching career, she focused on advancing the needs of children through experiential and collaborative learning methods.

Since joining L’Étoile in 2017 as an administrator, Joëlle has worked to foster a supportive, vibrant community while maintaining a connection to the classroom. As Head of School, she continues to champion the school’s mission of providing a dynamic and enriching education. Joëlle is proud to be part of the L’Étoile community, which her own daughter graduated from in 2022, and is dedicated to creating an environment where all students thrive in this unique learning environment.

As a Portland native, Megan grew up in local immersion school programs, where her appreciation for language began. With a background in sales, Megan brings strong communication and relationship-building to her role as Admissions Director. As a parent of a L’Étoile student, Megan has a personal passion for the school and the value of bilingual education.

A certified teacher from the Ministry of Education since 2009, Cécile has taught multiple grade levels in both Perpignan and at L’Etoile from 2014-2016. In addition to her master’s degree in teaching Cécile holds degrees in art history and archeology, and has a strong passion for singing. She infuses the arts and music in her pedagogy with the intent of unleashing the creative energies of her students. Her approach is to tap into each child’s learning path and adapt her teaching practices accordingly. Cécile is thrilled to return to Portland where her daughter was born!

Olivier spent his formative years in central France in Lyon, but moved to the shores of the Mediterranean in Perpignan for most of his professional career. He earned his teaching license in physical education at the University of Font-Romeu and his master’s degree from the University of Montpellier. From 2019, he taught PE in France at the middle school level, but prior to that his passion for teaching was sparked in Portland. From 2014 to 2016, Olivier was an assistant teacher at L’Etoile, where he discovered the joy of working daily with children in the context of sports instruction and homework support. He is thrilled to return to L’Etoile with his family.

Susan graduated with honors from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in French Language and Literature and spent 6 months studying in Dijon, France. She has a strong background working in customer service and administration, including 2.5 years as the office manager at the Alliance Française de Portland. In 2021 Susan joined L’Etoile and has since then been an integral part of the administrative team. In her free time, Susan enjoys fostering pups for a local animal rescue, planning her next trip to France, and biking around Portland.