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 — Headmistress
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.
As the Director of CAIPA, she brings her experience in education and management to lead the school with kindness, intellectual rigor, and a strong commitment to each child’s development. Originally from Tahiti, and passionate about dance (especially bachata) and ethology, she shares a vibrant, sensitive vision of the world with the CAIPA community.
MATHILDE — Head Teacher · Science, Physics & Chemistry and French Teacher
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.
VICTORIA — Head of the International Section & History, Geography and English Teacher
Originally from Luxembourg, Victoria is a passionate English teacher with several years of experience working with students of different ages and academic levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in European Cultures – English Studies and has taught the Cambridge curriculum, while also guiding students in preparing for Cambridge and IGCSE exams.
Convinced that learning in more than one language is, above all, a gateway to the world, she strives to teach far beyond mere linguistic skills. Through a structured, rigorous, and student-centered approach, Victoria encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of exploration. Her interest in the humanities and in the major challenges facing today’s world enriches her teaching and fosters meaningful reflection and discussion in the classroom.
At CAIPA College, Victoria brings her energy, creativity, and international experience to an ambitious international section, where every student is encouraged to develop confidence, independence, and a genuine enjoyment of learning.
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.
VINCENT — Physical Education
Vincent is a sports instructor, recently certified with a BPJEPS in Physical Activities for All (APT). Passionate about sport and sharing his knowledge, he works with a variety of groups, including children and teenagers. His goal is to offer sessions that are adapted, dynamic, and supportive, encouraging both the enjoyment of movement and the development of motor skills.
MARIAM — Art, Music & Mathematics
An artist, certified mathematics teacher, and jazz singer, Mariam brings over 20 years of experience in education, combining academic rigor with creativity and a strong focus on each student’s individual needs.
A professional artist known as Marsvontag for the past 20 years, her work explores interdependence, humanity’s place in nature, and our connection to the living world. She also founded Artabeille, an educational project combining art and ecology to raise awareness of the importance of bees.
With a Master’s degree in Mathematics, she specialises in personalised learning and continues to prepare students for the French Brevet and Baccalauréat exams. She also leads art workshops for children, teenagers, and adults.
A passionate jazz singer, Mariam brings a creative, sensitive, and multidisciplinary approach to education, encouraging students to explore, understand, and express themselves.
ISABELLE — Spanish
Of Spanish origin and raised within both French and Spanish cultures, Isabelle grew up speaking two languages and immersed in two cultural worlds. After earning a degree in English Language, Literature and Civilization, she continued her studies in Information and Communication before moving into the corporate world.
For more than thirteen years, she worked in an international environment, holding various commercial and managerial positions, including Sales Director. In addition to business development, she was responsible for training all employees. These years allowed her to develop strong expertise in management, communication, and human relations, while also discovering how much she enjoyed sharing knowledge, helping others grow, and bringing out each person’s potential.
When her son started school, it marked a major turning point in her career. Having become aware of the challenges faced by some children, particularly those with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, she chose to take her career in a new direction and dedicate herself to education. Since then, she has supported students from an early age in learning English and Spanish, with particular attention to each child’s individual needs and abilities.
Today, at CAIPA, she brings her dual cultural background, international experience, and strong interpersonal skills to support students. She aims to teach Spanish in a lively, accessible, and inclusive way, giving every student the confidence they need to progress and encouraging them to enjoy communicating, understanding others, and opening themselves up to the world.