Soraya Valentin

Site Director

Soraya, an experienced educator, began her career as a teacher in NYC after completing her bachelor’s degree at Stony Brook University. She transitioned into international education as an elementary, middle, and high school teacher. After completing a master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Kentucky, she became a curriculum coordinator and elementary principal. Soraya aims to create learning environments that allow children to explore and develop fundamental skills in a nurturing and secure setting, focusing on whole-person development.

Tara Meiners

Lead Teacher and Educational Specialist

Jane Gordon

Associate Teacher

Jane Gordon is a recent graduate from Bates College, where she received degrees in Sociology, French/Francophone Studies, and Education. Growing up with Anglophone parents and attending the Lycée Français de Chicago, she received her French Baccalaureate with High Honors, fueling her passion for language and education. Currently, Jane is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys being creative through various art projects, cooking/baking and exploring New York! 

Yasmine Ouedraogo

Associate Teacher & Admissions Coordinator

Yasmine was born in Belgium to Burkinabé parents. She grew up in several countries; Denmark, France, and Egypt to name a few. Yasmine studied at Université Lumière Lyon where she earned une licence en langues, littératures et civilisations étrangères.

As she moved to New York with her spouse and became a mother, Yasmine quickly developed a passion for bilingual education. She wanted to ensure that her son who was raised in a French speaking household also had the opportunity to receive an education in French.

Prior to joining Smith Street Maternelle, Yasmine was on the board of trustees of the New York French American charter school and she also taught French at the preschool prep of the DCC Manhattan Youth in Tribeca.

Outside of the classroom, Yasmine enjoys attending theater workshops at ATNY (Atelier Théatre New York) or to rollerblade with her friends. Yasmine is currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education.

Karine Gauze

Lead Teacher

Karine has been a teacher at Smith Street Maternelle since 2020. She was born and raised in the south of France, studied in Marseille and lived in Paris for over 15 years. Karine earned a Master’s degree in film and worked on many different productions as a camera operator and director. After being in film for many years, she moved to the media industry where she worked as an editor for a high-end men’s fashion magazine.

Karine moved to Brooklyn with her husband and two children in 2017 and realized the importance for children to learn a new language from a very young age. She turned to teaching to share her language skills and continues to pursue training in early childhood education at City College.

During her free time, Karine loves to travel and explore museum exhibitions. She enjoys music, concerts and running (NYC Marathon in 2022).

Aminata Fall

Associate Teacher

Aminata is from Senegal in West Africa and has lived in the United States for 15 years. She originally came to study Business and earned her associate degree in Business Administration at NCC in Connecticut. However, she soon realized her passion for working with children.

She has worked as a French tutor and as a preschool teacher assistant, gaining valuable experience in helping young learners develop their skills. Aminata holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from SUNY Empire State University, where she focused on child psychology and education. She is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of children in her care.

In her spare time, she enjoys trying new cuisines and traveling.

Clément Doherty

Associate Teacher & Garderie Lead Teacher

Clément was born and raised in La Rochelle, France, and obtained a certificate in theatrical art from the Conservatoire de Bordeaux.

After graduating, Clément moved to Boston, MA, where he worked as an education administrator at the Alliance Française for five years.

Upon relocating to NYC, Clément began working as an associate teacher for Smith Street Maternelle. In his spare time, Clément enjoys cooking, playing music, and traveling.

Matthieu Eveillard

Lead Teacher

Matthieu comes from Brittany, a region of the North-West of France. He spent his childhood, teenage years as well as his early adulthood there, graduating in his studies of English and Information & Communication and becoming a librarian specialized in Music and Film. When he moved to New York City ten years ago, Matthieu worked at establishing a French children’s library and decided to pursue the career of teaching French to children. Matthieu loves to use his passion for music and guitar to teach the children and worked for 5 years in a bilingual preschool of the Upper East Side of Manhattan before joining Smith Street Maternelle. He is currently engaged in a Master’s Degree program of Early Childhood and Bilingual Education at Hunter College and a fervent believer in the Reggio Emilia’s credo that the child has a hundred languages and that reason and dream are things that do belong together.

Magali Pillionnel

Associate Teacher

Born and raised in Switzerland, Magali is a native French speaker. She graduated from the University of Lausanne with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Slavic studies. Growing up in a multilingual country, she developed an appreciation for cultural nuances and a lifelong interest in languages and literature. She understands the value of progressive education and has worked in nature-based preschool programs as well as elementary after-school arts programs. 

Marie-Laure Pham-Bouwens

Lead Teacher

Marie-Laure hails from France, where she completed her studies at l’Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. After relocating to New York 22 years ago, the city’s dynamic pulse has continually fueled her inspiration. With the birth of her first child, her professional trajectory shifted towards the multifaceted world of Montessori education. Drawing from its innovative, vibrant, and culturally rich teachings, Marie-Laure pursued and attained certification as a Montessori primary teacher. She deeply values her role, emphasizing the individual potential of every child. With a passion for nurturing self-development in the young, Marie-Laure is dedicated to enriching lives through education, skillfully addressing challenges and tailoring content to maximize individual growth and ensure continuous learning.

Laurence Tremblay

Lead Teacher

Laurence was born in Montreal into a French-speaking family. She learned to speak English at school and via immersion programs. The academic environment has always been a reassuring and calming place for her, which is why she carved a career path in education; to recapture that comfort and have a significant impact on future generations. Laurence believes that all students have the ability to succeed. She embraces the creativity required to offer students customized tools allowing each of them to achieve their full potential. Prior to starting at Smith Street, Laurence was an elementary school teacher for students on the autism spectrum where she developed a differentiated skillset around personalized programs. 

When she is not at school, Laurence is studying for her master in school management to further her knowledge of education. In her spare time, she loves to read, do arts & crafts, and travel the world.

Sophie Jajanashvili

Associate Teacher & Garderie Associate Teacher

Sophie is a seasoned Communication Manager with over a decade of experience, holding a degree in Information and Communication from Sorbonne University. Originally from Georgia and raised in Paris, she now resides in New York, where she thrives on the city’s dynamic energy and cultural diversity.

With a passion for teaching, Sophie has spent five years working with children of all ages, fostering creativity and learning in various settings. As a proud mother to her two-year-old daughter, Cecily, Sophie enjoys exploring the world through family travels, having visited over 25 countries.

Whether through her professional work or her adventures as a mother, Sophie is dedicated to inspiring others and embracing the beauty of diverse cultures.

Michel Olivier Policard

Front Desk Manager

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Olivier moved to the United States after high school to pursue higher education. He earned his Associate Degree in Business Administration from Kingsborough Community College before continuing on to Brooklyn College, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

While at Brooklyn College, Olivier became an active member of the campus community by joining Nu Omega Chi Fraternity, Inc. As Secretary and Vice President of the Alpha Chapter, he played a key role in organizing community service initiatives and fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose among his peers. These leadership roles not only helped him grow as a professional but also deepened his passion for serving others and making meaningful contributions to his community.

Through his experiences, Olivier discovered a strong interest in working within school environments, where he enjoys creating opportunities to support and inspire those around him. He believes in the importance of education and strives to use his skills to positively impact others, whether through his organizational expertise or his dedication to helping people reach their full potential.