Arie Stein

Site Director

Arie is a long-time educator, administrator, and advocate of early childhood education. Her background is in fine arts, which led Arie to begin teaching art classes at Saint Ann’s Preschool, later on leading to a full switch into early childhood education. Shortly thereafter, Arie helped open an elementary extension program for grades K-3 at Little Missionary Day Nursery, leading to a shift in the school’s curriculum and educational objectives. Arie has since then received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College and used this experience to build curriculum and expand the programs of independent schools throughout Brooklyn, most recently at Cobble Hill Playschool. This is her first year as the site director at Henry Street and she is so excited to join such a wonderful team of educators for the school year! 

Cynthia Fauvette

Lead Teacher

Sophie Capéran

Associate Teacher

Sophie is a Paris native who spent her childhood living throughout Europe; in France, Germany, Denmark, and England, where she cultivated a sense of foreign languages and cultures from an early age. At Paris X University, Sophie completed a Bachelor’s degree in Anglo-American Literature & Civilization as well as a Master’s in Political Science.

Navigating the bilingual heritage of her own children she decided to focus and dedicate her attention to the world of early childhood development and education. Sophie worked as a substitute teacher and tutor at Smith Street Maternelle from 2020 to 2024 and joined the team part time this fall in Carroll Gardens. She is dedicated to French culture and education and is excited to share her knowledge across the educational landscape at Smith Street.

Sophie lives in Brooklyn with her husband, three daughters and son who is currently attending the Gowanus Campus, and aside from her work, shares a love for the arts, traveling, yoga and enjoys cooking with her kids.

Thea Iepure

Lead Teacher

Thea was born and raised in Montreal, to Romanian parents who had achieved their dream of moving to Canada. Thea learned Romanian and French early on, and this French foundation helped her language retention when at 10 years old, her family moved to LaSalle, Ontario, a small town in an English-speaking province. Growing up as an only child with a large extended family, Thea spent a lot of time with her cousins, often taking care of the youngest of the group. This began her passion for childcare, which continued as a teen when she worked as a camp counselor. At 18 years old, she returned to Montreal to study at Concordia University. While studying she worked at daycares and high end restaurants, finally earning a Bachelor’s degree in Child Studies and Human Relations.

Thea began working at Smith Street Maternelle in September of 2020. First, as an associate in Moyenne Section at the Carroll Gardens campus, then as an associate in Petite Section for 2 years at the Gowanus campus. In 2023, Thea returned to Carroll Gardens as the Lead Teacher in Petite Section. She is passionate about progressive education and teaching through a developmental lens. She believes that community between teachers and parents can have a fiercely positive impact on children’s lives.

Anita-Mae Kahan

Associate Teacher & Garderie Lead Teacher

Anita-Mae was born in Brooklyn and participated in the first years of the French immersion program at P.S.58. She is Franco-American and spends most summers visiting her family in France. She studied music at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where she specialized in cello performance but also sang in a choir and taught musical awakening classes to kindergarteners. In her free time Anita-Mae enjoys reading, drawing, painting, and rock climbing. 

Hélène Klein

Associate Teacher

Hélène was born in Strasbourg, France. She is a passionate traveler, cultural enthusiast, and language lover. She graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Japanese and modern languages, a field that has fueled her curiosity for discovering new cultures.

Growing up surrounded by children, Hélène developed a strong connection to early childhood education. She completed multiple internships in infant schools before embarking on an enriching cultural exchange in 2023. As a cultural ambassador teacher in Portland, Oregon, she led a class of toddlers, organized cultural events, and taught cooking classes to the children and the families—sharing her love for food and tradition with her community.

Beyond her professional journey, Hélène thrives on learning. She enjoys studying new languages, singing, traveling, and playing the ukulele, always seeking ways to connect with people through music, food, and storytelling.

Allison Flamion

Lead Teacher

Allison was born in Maryland but grew up in Belgium, raised by two francophone parents. She earned a Master’s degree in Psychology in 2014 at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, specializing in Psychoanalysis and Systems Psychology in Childhood-Adolescence.

Since the beginning of her clinical internships and work, Allison has maintained a strong interest in childhood development and neurodiversity in young children. She has worked in various settings caring for children on the autism spectrum and those with severe personality disorders and psychological concerns. She has also worked with children with diagnosed learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity. She is passionate about fostering inclusivity and understanding in all aspects of her work.

Allison earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Liège, Belgium in 2019, where she focused on the development of ageism in children and adolescents, with regards to how their parents and contact with grandparents influence their view of old people.

Outside of her professional interests, Allison loves to spend time with her family and her new baby as well as travel and explore new cultures.  She also enjoys music, fitness, and fashion.

Blossom Bettles

Associate Teacher

Blossom was born in London and moved to Brooklyn at a young age. She attended the French program at PS58 and later the International School of Brooklyn (ISB). Her upbringing was filled with travel, especially to New Zealand and the UK to visit family, as well as time spent at her parents’ off-the-grid cabin in the woods. Throughout high school, Blossom taught art classes and worked as a babysitter, nurturing her love for working with children. After graduating, she took a gap year, deferring her art school placement, and began working at Smith Street Maternelle, where she discovered her passion for teaching French and working with young children. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in education. Blossom is currently attending BMCC, studying Early Childhood Education. In 2023, she transitioned to the Carroll Gardens location, and this year marks her fourth year of teaching. Blossom has a deep passion for art of all kinds, fashion (both finding and creating clothes), cooking, and reading.