A dedicated, caring team who seeks to provide a supportive education.
Our team shares a common vision of the teenage years:
a time of profound transformation, rich with challenges, emotions, and possibilities.
Each adult engages with heart and clarity to offer young people a supportive, demanding, and respectful environment that enables them to:
- better understand themselves through learning,
- develop emotional intelligence,
- strengthen their confidence in themselves and others.
Trained in active pedagogies, compassionate communication, and child development, the educators at our International Alternative Middle School of the Pays d’Aix embody empathy, balance, and attentiveness to each student’s needs.
Discover here the backgrounds and convictions of those who bring our vision to life every day..
KARINE — Founder, Certified Practitioner in Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
After earning a Master’s in Economics and a postgraduate degree in Human Resources, Karine began her career in corporate HR as a consultant and HR manager.
Six years later, driven by a search for meaning, she passed the French teaching exam (Professeur des écoles) and spent over 10 years teaching in France and abroad, from preschool through to 5th grade. During her time in Chile, she served as both Academic and Administrative Director of a French school with seven classes.
In 2019, Karine founded The Gift School, a primary school designed to truly adapt to children’s needs. Trained in Montessori pedagogy (ages 3–6 and 6–12) with Apprendre Montessori, she has successfully completed a mediation training course and is currently doing a seven-year certification program in Nonviolent Communication (NVC).
In June 2025, building on these strong values; respect for each individual, civic education, global awareness, and eco-citizenship, Karine founded the first International Alternative Middle School of the Pays d’Aix (CAIPA) in Ventabren, near Aix-en-Provence.
LAETITIA — Mathematics & History-Geography; Team Coordinator
Holder of a Master’s degree in International Business from IAE Aix-en-Provence, with dual expertise in entrepreneurship and management, Laetitia worked in trade, merchandising, and business management in London.
A certified Montessori educator, she founded and directed a bilingual Montessori eco-school for 10 years.
Also, a mother of three, she then joined the CAIPA project in full alignment with her core values: respect for each child’s rhythm, hands-on learning, connection to nature, and civic education.
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.
JENNIFER — Visual Arts & Music
As an art therapist and visual arts teacher, Jennifer has been guiding children and teenagers for over 25 years through creative, expressive, and collaborative projects.
Her pedagogy, rooted in empathy and active listening, aims to awaken the expressive potential of every student. Slam poetry, painting, installations, songwriting, and group projects form part of a space where each young person can explore, reconnect with their imagination, and build self-esteem.
In her classes, art becomes a vessel for emotional exploration, a catalyst for confidence, and a joyful path to collective creation. Jennifer embodies a pedagogy of freedom, creative expression allowing students to have fun while creating!
MATHILDE — Sciences, Physics, Chemistry & French
As a lover of books and a scientist at heart, Mathilde completed a demanding training course before earning an engineering degree. She worked in various technical sectors, but after becoming a mother, she felt called to dedicate herself fully to child development and education.
After earning her French teaching certification (CRPE), she began her career in the National Education system before joining our team, fully convinced by the alternative, human-centered vision of the Gift School and CAIPA.
Today, she teaches sciences and French with rigor, curiosity, and joy. Her dual literary and scientific background enriches her teaching approach, in which respect, precision, and the pleasure of learning are at the heart of her teaching style.
Mother of two students at the Gift School, she shares the core values of the CAIPA project wholeheartedly.
CLAUDIA — Physical Education (PE) & English
Born in Durban, South Africa, Claudia studied Education at Rhodes University before coming to France in 2015 as an au pair. She then taught English to children and adults in language schools and private settings, refining her ability to adapt to each learner’s rhythm and needs.
Before that, she taught in South African middle schools, in a country with 11 official languages and a rich diversity of cultures. This experience shaped her deeply inclusive teaching style, centered on emotional safety, trust, and kindness.
A lifelong athlete and former synchronized swimming competitor, Claudia now practices swimming, cycling, and hiking. She firmly believes that the power of movement, along with cooperation and joy enhances learning.
At CAIPA, she teaches English and PE with energy, empathy, and creativity, encouraging every student to express themselves, explore, and grow at their own pace.
MARGAUX — Study Methods & Mindfulness Practices
Holder of a Master’s in Education (MEEF, 2013), Margaux began her career in the French National Education system, working in diverse contexts (inclusion programs, priority zones, upper elementary). There, she developed strong expertise in differentiation and personalized learning.
Since 2017, she has turned towards alternative education, supporting students with specific learning needs (ADHD, Dys disorders, neurodivergence).
Her passion for cognitive science led her to study orthopedagogy, mental management, and neuroeducation. In 2022, she earned a university diploma in Neuropsychology, Education & Pedagogy from INSPE Lyon. She now designs effective tools to help students understand how they learn — improving attention, memory, organization, and metacognition.
Margaux also leads workshops on social-emotional skills, guided by active listening, empathy, and co-construction.
A mother of two, she blends her scientific expertise with emotional intelligence, practicing a deeply human centered pedagogy.
CÉLIE — Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
A primary school teacher, trainer, and parent coach, Célie specializes in developing children’s and adults’ social-emotional skills.
Trained in empathic approaches to childhood, alternative pedagogies, and affective and cognitive neuroscience, she leads workshops that help students cultivate empathy, self-confidence, emotional regulation, and cooperation.
An ambassador for Mon Moment Magique and practitioner of outdoor education, she combines pedagogical rigor, creativity, and a deep sense of human connection.
Mother of three, she embodies the school’s values in daily life through a person-centered approach that is joyful, rigorous, and always deeply respectful of each student’s individuality.
MAËLLE — Spanish
A teacher of Spanish and French for over 15 years in France and abroad, Maëlle has developed a lively, student-centered pedagogy that encourages initiative while maintaining a clear structure.
During her last teaching post in Malta, she gained valuable experience in multi-level classrooms and differentiated instruction, tailoring her methods to the needs of every learner. Her students even won the creative writing contest “Embarquement immédiat !” on the theme of the ocean, organized by an environmental NGO.
She is passionate about Latin America, grew up in Madrid, has lived in Uruguay and Mexico, and traveled through Peru and Cuba. She now shares her love for these cultures through playful, creative activities such as games, theatre, and art.
A yoga and meditation enthusiast, lifelong traveler, and polyglot, Maëlle is committed to helping her students open their minds to the world with joy and serenity.