Our Teachers & Staff

Barbara grew up in Greenwich, where her first exposure to the French language in the Greenwich Public Schools inspired her to pursue a college major in French Studies (B.A., Scripps College). During this time, she completed a language-intensive semester abroad in Aix-en-Provence and wrote her undergraduate thesis in French. Her love of French architecture and history led her to the field of Historic Preservation (M.S., Columbia University) and a decade-long career in New York City advocating for historic landmarks and districts. In 2018, Barbara left New York and moved back to Greenwich, working part-time as a nonprofit consultant while raising two boys. She is very grateful to be putting her nonprofit experience and love of French culture to work at the AFG.

Claudine Baker, a native French speaker, possesses extensive teaching expertise across all levels. She finds particular joy in instructing French literature and history, cherishing the opportunity to impart her profound love for all aspects of French culture to her students.

Antoine first came to the U.S. in 2007 for the Alliance, and has kept a regular contact since by teaching classes and helping in the communication department and film festival. He also works as a Sports Correspondent for Le Figaro, Ouest France and L'Humanité, among others.

Chantal is a French native teacher with 35 years of experience. Full of dynamism, patience and flexibility, she pays great attention to her students and their needs.

A passionate francophile, Gabriela attended the Lycée Franco Méxicain from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, obtaining her Baccalauréat. She holds a Bachelors degree in French Literature and a Masters in Linguistics and Translation from French into Spanish. She enjoys sharing her love of the French language and the French culture with her students. She has taught both in Mexico and in the US for over 12 years.

Beatrice has been a French teacher since 1995. She taught at FIAF in NYC, and then at our Alliance since moving to Westchester county with her family. She grew up in France and Switzerland and loves to go back to her roots.

Doris is a passionate French and Arabic language educator with experience teaching in international school settings. She previously taught at the French-American School of New York (FASNY) and currently teaches Arabic at Sacred Heart Greenwich. With a background in the arts, she enjoys incorporating creativity into her teaching to make language learning engaging, interactive, and meaningful. Passionate about the French language and Francophone cultures, she strives to create a supportive classroom where students build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Doris is delighted to join the Alliance Française community and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for the French language and culture with her students.

Cécile is a native French speaker who has lived in New Orleans and Los Angeles before coming to Greenwich. She has extensive experience as a French instructor, and has worked with students of all ages and all levels, bringing to her classroom a love of learning and teaching.

Anne-Marie, a dedicated French Teacher at the Alliance Française, also specializes in guiding students towards achieving proficiency in French language skills with the DELF diplomas, a certification issued by the French National Ministry of Education to validate French language proficiency. With over a decade of experience in Marketing, Communication, and Corporate Sales in France, her journey led her across London (UK), Bahrain (Middle East), and New York. These diverse experiences have allowed her to teach French internationally, enabling her to passionately share her native language and culture with others.

Elhem was born and grew up in the Alps, skied for over 30 years, and competed in rowing for France. She holds a Bachelors in French Literature, is licensed in History of French Institutions and holds a Masters in French constitutional law. She is fluent in French, English, and Spanish. Elhem is a qualified examiner in New York and worked in the preparation of French certification for beginner, advanced, and proficiency levels. She worked for several years at the Alliance Francaise of Westchester: teaching all ages and levels; running programs in philosophy, literature, and French culture; and participating in the selection of pedagogical books for the organization. In her free time, she loves to swim, hike, and bake easy pastries!

Born and raised near Lyon, Nathalie studied French Literature, Latin & Greek and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She lived both in New York and Los Angeles, where she also taught French at the Alliances Françaises of Greenwich and Pasadena and promoted the French culture with a passion for words and people.

Elise grew up in France, studied in Paris and taught as a social anthropologist in France, South Korea and the US. She has three daughters who all speak, read, and write French. They go to Brittany every summer. Elise and her family have lived in Riverside, CT since 2015. She is currently studying for the DAEFLE. 

Sylvie is a native French speaker. Born and raised in Belgium, she lived in Brussels, Geneva, Hong-Kong and moved to Greenwich in 2012. She volunteered for the Program “Famous Artist “ at the French-American School. She is also part of the team who works for Focus on French Cinéma in Greenwich. Passionate about Art and Tennis, she is enthusiastic and eager to share her love for the French language and culture with her students.

Born and raised bilingual in Westchester, Mikael (Misha) brings years of teaching expertise to the classroom. Holding a Masters in Early Childhood Education, he is a long time teacher at FASNY. An avid trail runner and ice hockey player, Misha enjoys being active, cooking, making art (drawing, painting and collages), and spending quality time with his two kids.

Abbey is a Francophile from Connecticut who has spent many years living, studying and working in various parts of France and French-speaking Switzerland. She has a master's degree in French-English translation from ESIT in Paris and has worked as a French teacher, tutor and translator over the years. She is excited to share her love of the French language and culture with her students. She currently lives in Rye, NY.

Hailing from the Swiss border, Virginie, a University of Besancon graduate in foreign languages and business, embarked on a journey from New York City to Missouri. With a background in the radio industry, she delved into wine studies, earning a Diploma in Wines and Spirits, and later obtained her DAEFLE teaching certification. Currently at the Alliance Francaise of Greenwich, she imparts her passion for French grammar, history, cooking, and wine to students of all levels.