Principal
I began my professional career in the fields of transportation and logistics. After 7 years in the United States and then in France, I decided to dedicate my life to educating children and joined the IUFM to become a primary school teacher.
It was through my daughter Madeleine, who was enrolled at Montessori’s Cool, that I met Mathilde Bourdin – the founder of the school – and discovered the Montessori method. From this encounter, a friendship was born, fueled by our shared passion for child development.
I joined the teaching team at Montessori’s Cool in 2013 before taking over as the school’s director in September 2014.
I hold a master’s degree in education and teaching, and I am also certified in the 3-6 years and 6-12 years Montessori diplomas from the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori. I am supported by my husband Vincent and our four children, who are travelers, multilingual, and passionate.
Our teaching team consists of eight educators (four French-speaking and four English-speaking), all AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certified by the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori.
The Institute offers annual refresher courses and observation groups to facilitate inter-school exchanges. The team stays informed through extensive reading, including works by Maria Montessori, Célestin Freinet, Faber and Mazlish, Marshall Rosenberg, and others.
We are a highly motivated team dedicated to continuous improvement and action. The child guides the educator. Our approach involves observing the child to offer activities that spark their interest and intervening as subtly and accurately as possible to establish an atmosphere of trust, joy, and freedom. Our teachers regularly reflect on their practice, engage in ongoing training, and evolve their methods.
The team is dynamic, calm, stable, and supportive, and its members enjoy working together. We are always questioning and have a constant desire to advance a shared project and to collaborate. Each team member participates in decision-making, feeling involved and responsible.
We want our school to remain a place of exploration because children teach us that certainty in education is elusive. Questioning and self-assessment are fundamental qualities for us.
Support and Training for Teaching Teams with Núria Casanovas
Núria is a clinical psychologist, trainer, supervisor, and co-founder of the Centre and the Ayana Institute. Specializing in Montessori schools, Núria has been working with our team since 2018, providing us with practical tools to enhance our practice. Trained in EMDR and a trainer of psychologists and teachers for over 17 years, she works between France and Spain. Núria has developed a therapeutic approach based on a holistic and dynamic psychology that helps patients develop their full potential. She is also an expert in child and family psychology and has developed a strong expertise in supporting parents.