Meet Our Passionate Team
Administration Team
Behind every successful educational institution is a skilled and passionate administrative team. Ours ensures everything runs smoothly, allowing our French teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching.
Rachèle DeMeo
Founder | President | Executive Director
An educator for 18 years, Rachèle DeMeo, M.A., M.Ed. was born in Nîmes (Gard), in the south of France, where she lived for nineteen years. Raised by an American-Italian father and an English mother, Rachèle grew up in a bilingual and multicultural environment. She is passionate about languages and other cultures, and her professional journey has been focused on language learning and teaching. She holds two Masters degrees, one of which is in teaching and learning.
Currently, she resides in San Diego, California, with her husband and their two children whom she is raising bilingual. In 2020, she founded FLAM San Diego (as a volunteer) with about thirty children participating in virtual French classes. She is the director of FLAM San Diego, offering different programs for about forty children and teenagers.
A former secondary school teacher and university lecturer, she is also a presenter/trainer. She teaches French courses and other lectures at Belle Terre Academy. She is also an author (with six published books to date) and a YouTuber.
Jastin DeMeo
Accountant | Human Resources
Jastin is an integral part of the team at FLAM San Diego, serving as Treasurer, Accountant, and HR Director.
Born in the United States with roots in Normandy, France, Jastin has developed a deep passion for the French language and culture. He and his wife, Rachèle, are raising bilingual, multicultural children.
A Marine Corps veteran, Jastin has a diverse professional background that spans finance, management, and leadership roles across various industries. His experience includes overseeing operations and finances in sectors like solar energy and real estate, where he honed his skills in problem-solving, financial strategy, and team management.
Jastin’s commitment to education and his love for French culture fuel his dedication to FLAM San Diego.
His unique combination of military discipline, financial expertise, and cultural passion makes him a dynamic and valuable member of the team.
Fanny Jolly
Communication & Marketing Manager | Administrative Assistant
Fanny Jolly, a mother of 3 daughters and living in the USA since 2016. I am passionate about communication and have a background as a Medical-Psychological Assistant. I am happy to join the FLAM San Diego team as the Communication Manager and administrative assistant.
As part of FLAM San Diego team, i’m the person you’ll find managing the newsletter (la Gazette) as well as our social media accounts.
I live in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) and i love traveling and hiking with my family.
Our French Teachers
At the heart of FLAM San Diego are our dedicated French teachers who bring not only their expertise but also an unyielding enthusiasm and love for the French language. Every one of our native instructors undergoes continuous pedagogical training. They are all certified and shine in their talent and creativity, delivering both quality and enjoyable lessons. It’s no wonder our students adore them!
Professeur Perrine
French Teacher
My name is Perrine. Of Belgian origin, I was born and raised in Liège. Holder of a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language from the University of Brussels, I have been teaching French since 2014 to children, adolescents, and adults of all levels. Being a great travel enthusiast, I had the opportunity to work with my husband in Mexico, New York, Paris, Belgium, and now California. Over the years, I have always been extremely happy to be able to share my passion for the French language and the world of the Francophonie with my students, giving them, too, the desire to travel and learn. always more.
In my free time, I love enjoying nature, rock climbing, yoga, hiking, and skiing.
It is with great pleasure to join the FLAM team!
Professeur Nathalie
French Teacher
Nathalie was born and raised in Paris, where she earned her Master’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages at Paris X-Nanterre University, followed by a DEA in Intercultural Communication.
Having been an expatriate for over 25 years to follow her husband, she began her career as the Head of the Licensing Department at Microsoft in Dublin, Ireland. She then shifted her focus to teaching as a tutor for children in Miami, Washington D.C., and Paris. Her expatriation in the Middle East provided her with the opportunity to establish the Extra-Curricular Activities Committee at the French School in Muscat, Oman, and to teach French at an Omani university and an international school. She continued her teaching journey in Canada, in Winnipeg, as a tutor for Education students at the university, and in the United States, in Milwaukee, as a French teacher in a high school. She recently decided to settle in San Diego to be close to her son, who is pursuing his university studies at SDSU, and also to enjoy the Californian way of life.
She is the mother of two grown children: her daughter, a graduate of UMN Twin Cities with a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Paris, and her son, a student in Information Systems at SDSU, are both fully bilingual. French has always been the only language spoken at home, although her children grew up in a truly multicultural environment and consider themselves “third culture kids.”
In her free time, she loves taking long walks on the beach, playing tennis, enjoying nature, and, above all, traveling.
She is thrilled to be joining the entire FLAM team!
Professeur Laura
French Teacher
Born in Paris, Laura obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages before moving to London for a year as an au pair. During this year, transmitting French culture and language has been an incredible experience. It was at this moment that the desire to explore the world and discover other cultures by sharing the Francophone culture was revealed.
Laura therefore then lived in Berlin, Germany, where she began a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language.
After obtaining her diploma, in 2018, Laura taught children aged 3 to 12 at the French Institute and at the Domino School with French-speaking children who could not attend bilingual schools.
Thus, Laura taught French to children beginning the French language but also to bilingual children following the National Education program.
Shortly after and with the pandemic, Laura continued her face-to-face online classes, notably joining two FLAM schools located in the United States. She, therefore, familiarized herself with the expectations of FLAM schools and their curricula by developing skills specific to online courses.
Its goal is to offer students a chance to learn French in a positive, creative, and fun atmosphere while being online.
Giving them the necessary motivation and confidence is essential to enable them to be the citizens of the world of tomorrow!
Professeur Benjamin
French Teacher
My name is Benjamin, I’m 32 years old, and I was born in Paris.
I am passionate about sports, traveling, and discovering new things.
I worked as an elementary school teacher in the Parisian region for 10 years, and I also worked as a sports coach in a football club and as an animator at the largest vacation center in Europe.
I am also an Ambassador for the Olympic and Paralympic Week with the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I am fully committed to this role as it will take place in my hometown.
Lastly, I have been a French as a Foreign Language (FLAM) teacher for some time now, and I am very happy to be a part of this network!
Professeur Marie
French Teacher, Language Therapist & Educational Support
My name is Marie, and I am French. I speak French and Spanish fluently. With a background in special education, I spent the first decade of my career working with children and adolescents facing challenges. I primarily worked in France, but also in Mali, Turkey, Spain, and Canada. These diverse experiences have given me a profound understanding of the needs of young people and the diversity of their experiences.
For some time now, I have been teaching French (FLE) to expatriate adults in French-speaking countries, and I continue to support children and adolescents in their educational journey. It’s a rewarding experience that allows me to put my passion for education into practice and help learners of all ages achieve their linguistic and academic goals.
What truly motivates me is the belief that every child is a treasure trove of unique talents. I enjoy helping them shine, believe in themselves, and view the world as an adventure to seize with both hands. Education, for me, is much more than classrooms; it’s a mission to unleash everyone’s potential.
I am a travel enthusiast and love exploring new cultures. Beyond that, I thrive on adventures. From skydiving to learning salsa, I am always up for new experiences.
Professeur Marie-Christine
French Teacher
I am Marie-Christine, born in a small French-speaking town in central Quebec, Arthabaska. Always drawn to the energy and multicultural atmosphere of big cities, I moved to Toronto to pursue my university studies. Missing the French language, culture, and heritage, I relocated to the wonderful city of Montreal. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the Université de Montréal and a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management from McGill University.
With many projects in mind, I moved to Mexico City in 2018, where I had the opportunity to intern at the Quebec General Delegation and teach French and English to companies with international partners and clients.
My strong interest in the French language and culture led me to teach at the Lycée Franco-Mexicain, where I received excellent ongoing training to refine my teaching skills, both practically and theoretically. I also obtained a Certificate of Aptitude for Teaching French Abroad (CAPEFE).
Passionate, determined, and a dreamer, I am always ready to take on new challenges!
Other Staff Members
Professeur Marie
School Psychologist & Evaluator
Originally from Arles, in Provence, Marie is a psychologist and teacher.
Holder of a DESS in Clinical Psychology and a Master in Child Psychology, she has worked in France with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as in the prison environment for the reintegration of young offenders.
Marie has more than 45 years of professional experience in teaching: first as an assistant professor at UCSD (The University of California San Diego), then in nursing school in France, and finally in various language schools, where she has been teaching French since 2004.
She enjoys teaching in a dynamic, interactive, and fun way, using storytelling and anecdotes to explain linguistic concepts and share her enthusiasm with her students.
Her hobbies include hiking, dancing, reading, and all kinds of crafts, a passion she was lucky enough to be able to teach at the Recreation Center and at the International Center at UCSD.
Professeur Tristan
Science and Maths teacher
Tristan was born in Toulon, in the Var region, and lived in New Caledonia for 6 years. He began his studies in preparatory classes for prestigious French universities (Mathematics and Physics classes) in Toulouse and then joined ENAC (National School of Civil Aviation) where he specialized in cybersecurity. He later joined Air France to work on protecting their computer centers before joining Airbus in 2023 as a cybersecurity engineer focusing on managing computer incidents.
Since 2020, Tristan has been working as an independent math tutor, providing both online and in-person support to middle and high school students. He attributes his success to the support and guidance he received during his education, which he aims to pass on to his students by instilling in them the right values and tools for improvement and progress, particularly through his passionate teaching of mathematics.
He tailors his teaching to the individual needs of his students and provides personalized guidance to optimize their learning. His courses emphasize the application of effective study methods that benefit students throughout their academic journey.
Outside of mathematics, Tristan enjoys traveling (especially to San Diego!), reading, writing, dancing (Rock), and windsurfing
Clement Thiery
Communication Specialist
Clément is a transatlantic storyteller. A native of Lorraine, he studied history and journalism, and for almost ten years, he was a writer and editor at France-Amérique magazine, covering French and Francophone cultures in the United States.
He wrote about art, history, food and wine, fashion, philanthropy, and science; interviewed university professors, tech innovators, film directors and state senators; visited bilingual classes in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Utah; befriended a World War II veteran; and got to ride in a twin-engine military transport that had dropped U.S. paratroopers during the Normandy landings!
After many years in New York City, he settled in San Diego in 2023 and now works in communication and copywriting. When he’s not crafting stories in French and in English for his clients, he can be found watching indie films at his local theater, swimming laps, or cycling up and down the California coast.
Our activity coordinators
Ariane (activity manager)
Heldah
Cédric
Ariane is originally from around Paris, France but has been living in San Diego county since 2004, ever since she attended San Diego State University. Go aztecs!
Her husband is American and she has identical twin girls and a little boy. Ariane is trilingual in French, English and Spanish and is very invested in passing this gift to her children. FLAM has been the perfect tool to perfect her children’s French level.
Ariane has 15 years of global purchasing and team management experience as a full time general merchandise manager for an international retailer. When not working, the family enjoys spending time with friends, travelling, camping and being creative with crafts!
It will be Ariane’s pleasure to provide fun crafts and activities during our in person get together.
My name is Heldah Kabaka, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised between France and Tunisia.
I hold a BTS in International Trade, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Collège de Paris. Passionate about discovering new cultures, I love traveling, exploring gastronomy, and engaging with others.
Having moved to the United States a year ago with my sister, I enjoy embracing new experiences, traveling across different states, dancing, cooking in my free time, and staying active. Curious and open-minded, I thrive on sharing and continuous learning.
Cédric is of Haitian origin but was born in French Guiana, a small French territory located in South America, where he spent 14 years of his life. As a soccer enthusiast, he is thrilled to share one of his favorite hobbies with others, something he has cherished since childhood.
After his upbringing in Guyana, he briefly lived in Philadelphia before relocating to California to embark on his career as an engineer.
He strongly believes that valuable lessons can be gleaned from playing soccer, and he is eager to witness future leaders develop a passion for the sport while honing their French skills.
Beyond soccer, he enjoys playing music, engaging in home improvement projects, forging new connections, and cherishing moments with his family.
Morgane
Antoine
Morgane was born in Paris, France. She lived in the Netherlands for 15 years (4 years as a child and 11 years as a young adult).
Fluent in three languages (French, Dutch, English) and holding a master’s degree in pharmacy as well as a doctorate in neuroscience, she has a strong passion for science.
Living in San Diego since 2014, she has two children with her Dutch husband, and they are raising them to be trilingual.
Apart from her scientific interests, Morgane enjoys surfing, which she has been practicing since the age of 12, hiking, swimming, gardening, and many other activities. She hopes to instill a love for science through the activities she leads at FLAM.
Antoine, originally from a small mountain town near Lyon, France, spent his childhood in his hometown until the age of 18. Since then, he has primarily resided abroad, including in the United States, Mexico, and Spain. He is fluent in French, English, and Spanish.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from USD (University of San Diego) and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from SDSU (San Diego State University). Since 2009, Antoine has been living in San Diego with his Filipino-American wife, their two dogs, and their two daughters.
After many years in the business world, Antoine transitioned to become a wedding and portrait photographer in 2016. He has developed a unique style of portrait and wedding photography, characterized by a documentary and photojournalistic approach, which has earned him numerous accolades and significant media presence. He regularly hosts photography workshops at FLAM San Diego.
We’re proud to introduce you to the dedicated individuals who make FLAM San Diego the premier destination for French education. Our team comprises seasoned administrators, talented French teachers, visionary board members, and dynamic interns and volunteers.
Teachers change the world. Thanks to our incredible teachers.
Open Positions
If you’re passionate about fostering a love for the French language and culture, consider joining our team at FLAM San Diego. To get started, complete the form corresponding to the position that interests you. Don’t forget to attach your CV and any other document that could support your application. Thank you for your interest in FLAM San Diego!
Important Notes:
- All positions we offer are part-time.
- We are unable to provide a visa to work in the United States.
Assistant
FLAM San Diego is currently hiring an Administrative/Administrative Assistant based on the following criteria:
We are looking for: an organized, dynamic and punctual person in his work, who knows how to work in a team and follow instructions.
Knowledge of: Google Workspace, Zoom, Canva, MailChimp.
Teachers
FLAM San Diego is currently recruiting French teachers and replacements according to the following criteria:
Expert French teachers (meticulous in their work, especially grammar, spelling, etc.)
Teachers whose native language is French (speaking it without an accent) or their language
Experience and passion in teaching French language and culture, especially to children
Diploma in education, in French or equivalent
The remuneration is generous and commensurate with experience and diplomas.
Animators
FLAM San Diego is looking for animators in all types of subjects (arts, dance, cooking, and sports (soccer, surfing, etc.) as part of our after-school activities.
Babysitters
If you want to be part of our network of San Diego area community babysitters, complete the form below with your availability, preferences, and rates. We will share your details with interested parents.
Internships and Volunteering
Are you passionate about French culture and education? If you’d like to undertake an internship with us or assist us as a volunteer, please complete the form or contact the director, Rachèle DeMeo.