Karine Ravel Sanchez, Founder and CEO
Following a Masters degree in Economics and a DESS degree in Human Resources, Karine began her career in Human Resources as a consultant and HR Manager in private companies.
After six years, Karine decided to change paths and she became a teacher certified by the French National Board of Education. She spent the following ten years teaching classes of varying levels between maternelle (nursery school) and CM2 (primary school).
Karine pursued her teaching experience in French schools abroad. She also worked as the pedagogical and administrative manager of a French school in Chile with 7 classes.
Drawing on her experience working with children, as well as her own personal experience as a mother of four, Karine decided to open her own school in Provence, a school which would adapt to the needs of each child.
Karine completed training in Montessori teaching methods for 3-6 year olds and 6-12 year olds with the organization « Apprendre Montessori, ». She also completed training sessions with Sophie Rabhi on the themes of Active Listening, Non-Violent Communications and Mediation.
Laetitia Rogar, Curirriculum Director
Holder of a Master’s degree in International Business from IAE Aix-en-Provence, with dual expertise in entrepreneurship and management, Laetitia worked in London in the fields of trade, merchandising, and business management.
A certified Montessori educator, she founded and directed a bilingual Montessori eco-school for 10 years.
Mother of three, she joined the Gift School and the CAIPA project in full alignment with her core values: respect for each child’s rhythm, hands-on learning, connection to nature, and education for peace.
She teaches mathematics and history-geography with kindness, intellectual rigor, and a love of understanding. Originally from Tahiti, and passionate about dance (especially bachata) and ethology, she shares a vibrant, sensitive vision of the world with her students.
She is the school’s director and responsible for the school’s curriculum. She oversees th eindividualized progress of students and is regularly involved in all classrooms.
Laura Gillespie, Director Development & Relations
Like jazz (and like Carolyn), Laura was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and she spent her childhood along the banks of the Mississippi River. Growing up in a bicultural French-American family taught Laura the fundamental rules of intercultural communication which she later refined through her studies, research and extensive travel.
After starting her career internationally, in Brazil and New York, she settled in France where, for over fifteen years, she worked in a variety of sectors: English-language communications consulting, event management, luxury tourism, and organic food. An entrepreneur at heart, she also contributed to the development of several private schools, including EPIM (École Privée Internationale de la Méditerranée in Luynes, later acquired by IBS in 2015).
As a mother of two bilingual children, Laura is deeply committed to bilingual education and to cultivating environment awareness. She joined the Gift School in 2020, convinced that change in the world starts with education.
At the Gift School, Laura is responsible for administrative management as well as for communications and family & community relations. She also oversees the school’s extracurricular program, the Gift Club, alongside Sophie. Laura ensures the school’s smooth organizational functioning and contributes to its strategic projects and outreach.
Laura is committed to the practice of mindfulness and she enjoys guiding children during their lunch break as they learn to eat consciously and with respect for all Life.
Célie Heuzey-Dabry, Elementary French Teacher for the Ibis class
Célie teaches the Ibis elementary class in French. Passionate about human connection and development, her teaching approach is child-centered and enriched by her experience as a part-time parenting coach and a trainer for adult professionals who work with children. Formally trained in Filliozat and Faber & Mazlish methods, Célie integrates into her teaching the tools necessary to develop social and emotional development (SEED) skills such as empathy, self-confidence, communication, emotional regulation, and cooperation. This allows her to create a learning environment in which every child feels heard, valued, and safe. As a Mon Moment Magique ambassador, Célie includes moments of meditation, movement, and mindful breathing into the rhythm of each school day. Outside school hours, she also leads workshops for children and parent-child duos.
Naturally curious and driven, Célie holds degrees in European Law, English Language and Literature and Primary Education Teaching (MEEF). Her experience in France’s National Education system, particularly in the Paris Academy, gave her the opportunity to train in Montessori methods. Creative and energetic, Célie is what you might call a “teacher-researcher” — constantly blending traditional educational methods with innovative approaches. She creates a learning environment that is both academically rigorous and joyful, with regular outdoor classroom experiences which nurture a connection to nature.
Célie is a firm believer in the Gift School’s vision and a proud mother of three children, who are all pupils at the Gift School since 2021. In her free time, she loves playing piano, singing (sometimes with her children in class!), and recharging her batteries in the Vercors region of Isère, where she grew up.
Frances Sillars, English Elementary Teacher for the Ibis class
As a young child Frances has distinct memories of her first real appreciations of the natural world; the smell, the feeling of the wind and the taste of rain. Her young adulthood was shaped by natural history documentaries presented by the infamous David Attenborough. His wonder at the beauty, diversity and preciousness of our world along with his respect for our beautiful planet yet also the people he spoke with whether that be a young child, an eminent scientist or those who live off the land enthralled her.
Following a degree in Biology and French, Frances moved to Quebec to teach. This experience then inspired her to return to the UK and obtain her Postgraduate Diploma Certificate of Education in Secondary Science (Biology). Fascinated by the way a child’s first experiences with the subject named “Science” can influence the future of their passion for the world and its workings, Frances taught in two secondary schools and was responsible for organizing the Junior Science curriculum as well as Primary Outreach work. After having two daughters, here in France, the role of a bilingual and respectful education has taken a new and even more important meaning.
Frances joined the team at the Gift School to share her love of the world around us and our role within it.
Mélanie Bugnot, Elementary English Teacher for the Lorikeets class
Mélanie began her teaching career in Marseille in 2007 before moving to Australia, where she developed an expertise in bilingual education. She has taught at different grade levels, with a focus on active pedagogies, promoting bilingualism, and creating inclusive and stimulating learning environments.
She later became Director of the bilingual program in the French schools of Brisbane, where she worked with both French and Australian governments to promote the study of French through middle school, while also building cultural partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region. She also contributed to teacher training and the mentoring of beginning teachers.
In 2023, Mélanie was a finalist for the French Australian Excellence Awards, a recognition of her commitment to bilingual education, intercultural dialogue, and pedagogical innovation. A mother of two bilingual children, a trail runner, and an adventurer at heart, she is passionate about inclusive, positive education and about sharing her love of nature with the Gift School.
Margaux Trompat, French Elementary teacher for the Lorikeets class
Margaux has been teaching since 2013. She began her career in upper elementary and inclusion programs where she developed a strong ability to adapt to the diverse needs of her students.
Drawn to alternative teaching methods, she began working in an alternative school in Arles in 2017, working closely with children with ADHD, dyslexia, and high potential. She later continued this work in Martigues with the Programme de Réussite Éducative, where she designed individualized learning pathways for children facing academic and personal challenges.
In 2019–2020 Margaux studied orthopedagogy and “mental management,” which reshaped her teaching practice and led her to focus on the cognitive functioning and unique learning profiles of each child. In 2022, she completed a postgraduate diploma in Neuropsychology, Education and Pedagogy (INSPE Lyon), equipping her to create tailored programs for specific learning profiles and to strengthen core processes such as attention, memory, organization, and metacognition. Since then, she has been teaching and supporting learners of all ages through workshops and individualized programs.
As a mother of two, Margaux brings to her work a deep sensitivity to listening, emotional support, and social-emotional skills, all of which she has further developed through dedicated training.
Carolyn Gillespie, English Teacher Pre-Kindergarden Swallows class (les Hirondelles), Gift Club Wednesday teacher, Montessori trained
Globe-trotting Carolyn spent her childhood riding horses on the banks of the Mississippi River. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Carolyn’s parents moved to Provence when she was 11 years old and they have been there ever since.
Carolyn obtained a Masters degree in Eco-Tourism and Urban Planning from the University of Bordeaux and then spent ten years years studying, traveling and working abroad before settling back down in Aix en Provence. Her travels and experience lead her to spend extensive time in Chile, Ecuador, Belize, Holland and New Zealand.
Carolyn is a confirmed horse rider and rock climber, and she also has experience working as an assistant veterinarian.
After working in several bilingual schools in Provence, Carolyn decided to devote her career to children. She is currently completing her Montessori training with « Apprendre Montessori » and she has been working with the Gift School team from its inception in September 2019.
Léa Dubuquoy, French Montessori Teacher, Pre-Kindergarden Swallows Class (Hirondelles)
For as long as she can remember, Léa always wanted to work with children.
With a Masters degree in Education and Teaching and a passion for books, Léa worked for 5 years in a local children’s bookstore, where she also organized and ran workshops for children.
Léa felt called to teaching and particularly in alternative school environnements ; she therefore completed a full year’s training certificate at the « Aide à la Vie – La Source » Montessori training center in Saint Cannat, where she specialized in teaching 3-6 year olds.
As a Montessori educator, Léa worked for several Montessori schools where she used her training in traditional and Montessori teaching methods as well as her passion for books, to accompany young children through their developmental years.
Léa is also an active local eco-citizen and she is passionate about nature, cooking, yoga and meditation. Léa shares her interests with the children in her class who participate in her workshops with great pleasure.
Ella Ludlam, Assistant Pre-Kindergarden Swallows class (les Hirondelles), and Gift Club Wednesdays teacher
Ella was born in the UK and moved to France for high school before returning to London to earn her physiotherapy degree. Her dissertation focused on how physical activity supports cognitive and behavioral development in children with autism, which led her to begin working as a tutor for autistic children.
Since then, Ella has gained varied experience in the healthcare sector in Europe and Australia, where she also volunteered as an advocate for mental health and disability rights while living in Melbourne.
More recently, she completed her diploma in ceramic arts, a passion that allows her to explore expression and creativity in new ways. She values environments where curiosity and creativity are encouraged.
In her free time, she enjoys climbing, hiking, and musical theatre.
Morgane Nicolle, French Montessori Teacher, Hummingbirds class (les Colibris), Gift Club Wednesday Teacher
After obtaining her Masters in Education and Teaching, Morgane trained to be an English teacher at the Académie de Versailles. Morgane speaks fluent English thanks to a Bachelors degree in English Language and Literature, as well as to the Cambridge Certficate in Advanced English which she obtained at the University of Perth in Australia.
Morgane has extensive experience both as a school teacher as well as an English teacher.
As a school teacher, Morgane was in charge of classes ranging from Petite Section (1st year of Preschool) to CM1 (4th grade) for 3 years at the Academy of Versailles. She also taught nursery school classes in a French school in Thailand. As an English teacher, Morgane teaches English to classes ranging from 1st grade to High School seniors, while working in parallel with sick children in hospitals.
Trained in Montessori methods with the organization « Aide à la vie – la source » in Saint Cannat, Morgane uses positive reinforcement and mindfulness in her classes. .
Estelle Jaubert, French Montessori teacher for the Pre-Kindergarden Hummingbirds class (les Colibris)
Estelle joined the Gift School team last winter in 2024 as an intern and quickly became a cherished member of the team, thanks to her commitment and passion for positive education. Already well known to the children of the school for having taught in English last year, Estelle now returns as the French Montessori teacher for the Hummingbirds class, where she will be substituting for Morgane during her maternity leave.
After spending years working in event planning, Estelle chose to transition her career to supporting young children in their early explorations. She applies the Montessori method with kindness to create a stimulating environment tailored to the individual needs of each child. As a mother of two young girls, she is dedicated to sharing her love of nature, languages, and creative activities, encouraging children to explore the world with curiosity and confidence.In joining the Gift School, Estelle is strengthening her commitment to not only accompany children in acquiring new language skills but also the values and tools that will help them grow with confidence and serenity in an ever-changing world.
Yekaterina Muravyova-Delvigne, alias “Katia”, English Montessori Teacher for the Hummingbirds class (les Colibris), Gift Club Wednesday teacher
Originally from Russia, Katia arrived in France in 2017. After her studies in Education, she became an English teacher and worked with both children and adults in several schools in her hometown of Novosibirsk, Siberia. For over three years, Katia assisted the kindergarten class at the Gift School, where she became a key figure of support and care for the children. Today with her experience, she teaches the class on English days.
Katia excels at sharing her passion for English with the children, helping them immerse themselves in the language from an early age. Her enthusiasm and ability to make learning fun and engaging make her a valuable asset to the school.
In her free time, Katia enjoys learning new foreign languages, exploring nature, and she is passionate about healthy eating and psychology, which help her better understand and support her pupils’ development.
Sophie Hodosy, Assistant for the Hummingirds class, Montessori trained, Gift Club Coordinator and teacher
Sophie is passionate about education, with a diverse and international background. After spending seven years as an English teacher and pedagogical coordinator at the Collège de Majicavo in Mayotte, she gained solid expertise in educational project management and active pedagogy. Her career is marked by a constant drive to innovate, whether through creative projects with her students or by exploring alternative teaching methods such as Montessori.
Driven by deep values of respect for nature, Sophie has also developed a particular sensitivity to environmental issues, namely by participating in organic farming projects and getting involved in local awareness initiatives. Sophie is trilingual and she is excited to contribute to the education of young children in an environment that promotes autonomy, play, and the respect for nature.