Newsletter 2/8/19

In this week’s newsletter: (https://conta.cc/2Dtn1oY)

Board Meeting Notice
AL Family Support in Need
Time to get back on Track
Order AL Yearbooks Online
IB Project: After School Chess Club
Middle Girls’ Soccer
Incoming Kindergarten Siblings Apply Today
Become a Host Family in the Fall
Little Miss Luau Girls Dance
EIP Tickets on Sale Now!
EIP Tickets & Contest
Save the Date: AL at the K!
Glow with Your Bro Boys Dance
AL Girl Scouts meet Mayor James
Reading Week Author Visit
Calling All Families: EIP
Official AL FB group
Advertising:
Research Medical Center, Brookside campus
Brookside Real Estate
AL 2019-2020 Incoming Kindergarten Applications

About Post Author

Alix Lasker

David Nyabenda Profile

I come from Burundi. I am the Kindergarten grade French teacher at Académie Lafayette. I began teaching in 2014 after receiving my teaching degree from the University of Burundi (Ecole Normale Supérieure) in 2012. I have taught French in different schools. These include kindergarten, elementary and secondary school and finally in Burundi and Russia.

In my free time, I like to read news, poems, and literature-fiction. I also enjoy dancing and singing.

Bridget MacNevin-Pfeiffer Profile

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and Special Educator working at our Oak campus. I grew up in central Missouri and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. I received my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Kansas where my research emphasis was in reading disorders. I’ve spent my career working with children with speech, language, feeding, and learning challenges in home, clinic, school, and hospital settings. I’ve worked at AL since 2017. I live in Waldo with my husband, two French-speaking kids, dog, and two cats.

Profile Loïs Nadal

Hello ! I’m from Martigues, in the South East of France. I have been teaching music since 2009 and at Académie Lafayette since 2017. I have a degree in Music, French state diploma as a music teacher, a certificate from the conservatory of Marseille and a professional musician diploma from the Music Academy International of Nancy. As you can see I love music, so I’m glad to teach my passion to AL students, share with them my experience! I also love cooking, photography, cinema and traveling (US, Mexico, Japan…).

Roger Goudiaby Profile

Roger Goudiaby is the Director of Information Technology at AcadémieLafayette. He manages the computer networks, telephone systems, and information technology at both campuses. Besides being a certified computer technician, he has a Masters degree in Music Education from Ecole Nationale des Arts in Senegal and a Masters degree in School Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He holds Education Certificates from Senegal, Missouri, and Ontario, Canada. Mr. Goudiaby joined the Académie Lafayette team in 2000 as a kindergarten teacher. He also taught French phonemic awareness.

Chris Neher Profile

Chris Neher has been working in the nonprofit industry for nearly 20 years. After a short-lived music career, his calling lead him to begin his fundraising career at the MIT Sloan School of Management. In 2005, Chris co-founded the world’s first and only international nonprofit toy company which focused on psychosocial programming for the world’s most marginalized populations. An avid traveler, Chris has broken bread in 45 states and 25 countries. In his free time, he spends his time being taken for a drag by his Mastiff, playing golf, tennis and finding new places to eat with his wife. Chris is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in diplomacy from the University of London.

Carlos McClain Profile

Carlos McClain’s title is “Office Manager” but it should really read “Backbone”. Carlos came to Académie Lafayette for a job interview. While she waited she started taking phone messages – and she hasn’t stopped yet. In her 17 years at AL, she has assisted with the school’s start-up and day-to-day operations, coordinated the yearbook and 8th-grade graduation, and supervised student transportation, food service, and building maintenance. She also created our first outreach to minority students plan. Carlos first started her career as a paraprofessional in the Joplin, Missouri school district working with 7th and 8th grade remedial math students. She also worked at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, assisting with booking conventions into the city, and as a meeting planner for National Rural Health Association. She attended the Joplin Business College and the American Institute of Banking.

Carlos is one of the founders of the “Coalition of 100 Black Women – Kansas City Chapter”, a non-profit volunteer organization for American women. She is a volunteer at the WEB DuBois Learning Center, Black Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations. The Imperial Court and the Ernestine H. Buck Special Events Department of the Imperial Court/Auxiliary of A.E.A.O.N.M.S. of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Inc recently chose her as one of the 2017 Outstanding African American Women Honorees and Hall of Fame Inductees. She is a very active member of her church and community.

Yanlan Jin Virtue Profile

I am from China (PRC), and a native Chinese speaker. I got my Bachelor’s degree in Science in China and a Master’s degree in Education in South Korea. I attended a Korean-Chinese immersion school for 12 years (P, M, H) in China so I am fluent in both Korean and Chinese. During that time, I studied a 3rd language (English) in middle school and high school. Before I came to the US, I taught Chinese in South Korea for many years (in a private school and college). I also worked for many years in the admissions department of a university in both China and South Korea. My last year of working in South Korea, I taught Korean in a University Language Institute. I taught for a year and then moved to the United States with my husband. The same year, Académie Lafayette hired me as the first Mandarin teacher in 2014.

My entire education background is very similar to Académie Lafayette students’. I learned Korean like AL students learn French (language immersion). I learned English like AL students learn a 3rd language (language acquisition). I experienced the two main approaches to learning languages. These language learning experiences help me understand my students who are facing exactly the same situation as I faced when I was young. Working at AL has helped me understand the American education system and American students.

Randi McCreary Profile

Hello, my name is Randi McCreary, and I am the sixth grade English teacher at Académie Lafayette. I have been teaching for 18 years with a bachelor’s in English and creative writing from the University of Missouri and a master’s in education from Avila University. I truly enjoy teaching students how to become the best writers, readers, speakers, and listeners that they can. Académie Lafayette is a wonderful place to incorporate my love of creativity.

When I am not teaching, writing is a big part of my life. I am a published writer that has had work featured in Essence Magazine and O Magazine, and I am the author of two poetry chapter books found at Barnes & Noble. I am the mother of two beautiful daughters and love spending time with my family. A fun fact about me is that I am a Funds for Teachers Fellow and spent a summer in Harlem, New York, researching the life and times of Langston Hughes.

Ousseynou Ndiaye Profile

I am more than happy to be part of the wonderful Académie Lafayette community. I graduated from the school of education in Dakar, Senegal, known as École Normale Supérieure (ENS). I hold a master’s and a DEA (advanced study degree) in history from Cheikh Anta Diop University, as well as a master’s in international relations from City University of New York. I started a Ph.D. and then left to fill in as a substitute teacher for six months. With that experience, I learned I loved to teach and decided to become a certified teacher. After I taught few years, I left the country. I taught in New York as a GED teacher and served as an enrollment and family advocate.

Armand Tsafack Profile

My name is Armand Tsafack; I’m married and I have five kids. I have master’s degrees in mathematics education and in pure mathematics from the University of Yaounde I. My 23 years of teaching mathematics include 17 years in my home country, Cameroon (6th–12th grade), and six years at Académie Lafayette (6th grade). I also have two Missouri teaching certificates: Mathematics 5–9 and Mathematics 9–12. The 2017–18 school year will be my sixth year teaching at Académie Lafayette.

I currently teach 6th grade mathematics. Teaching mathematics is a joy to me and I love to see the progress students make throughout the year. I hope my teaching style makes learning both enjoyable and effective for my students.

Liz O’Flaherty Profile

Liz O’Flaherty grew up in Kansas City, MO right in the heart of Brookside. She attended Visitation Grade School and St. Teresa’s Academy. It was when she was in Rachel Pasano’s First Grade classroom where she “caught” the teaching bug. Her love of Colorado sent her to Denver, Colorado where she attended college at Regis University. There, she taught in the Denver Public Schools, skied her favorite places like Winter Park and Vail, and developed life long friends.Liz returned to KC in 1990 where she has taught for over 25 years. She received her Masters in Literacy from Rockhurst University in 2005 and has been honored to be a part of this wonderful Académie Lafayette community since 2010.When not in the classroom, you might find Liz spending time with her family and friends, walking at her favorite parks, working out at Crossfit, volunteering at St. James Food Pantry and the KC Irish Fest, and writing/reading at her favorite coffee spots. There are so many!

“Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dorothée Werner Profile

I am a native of Paris, France where I grew up and received a Bachelor’s degree from the Sorbonne University in English and International Business and a Masters in International Studies.

I moved to Kansas City to teach French at Notre Dame de Sion, and spent 15 years in the corporate sector in marketing, public relations and advertising, becoming vice-president and working with Fortune 500 companies. I stayed home when my children were in elementary school and opened The French School, teaching French to pre-schoolers and adults. I also got involved in volunteer work both as PTA president in my kids’ public schools, and as a refugee coordinator teaching the Welcome to America class. I am married to a wonderful American and have three stimulating bicultural children.

In 2012 I went back to my first love, teaching, and joined Académie Lafayette where I delight in teaching 5th graders. I became a certified elementary teacher in 2016 and I am now working on another Master in school administration.

Hobbies and fun facts:

I love learning, traveling, entertaining and cooking

I once had dinner with Jackie Kennedy and lived with Tom Hanks for a summer

My master’s thesis was on Immigrant Entrepreneurship and the American Dream.

I am very fortunate to spend my days with 10 year-olds and love teaching at Académie Lafayette.

Sylvie Givens Profile

I live in Blue Springs, Missouri, but was born in Cameroon, West Africa. I moved to the United States in 1999 to join my mother and my stepfather, who have both been educators in Kansas City public schools since 1991.

After receiving a bachelor’s in finance and marketing from the University of Yaoundé II, I worked at the Census Bureau for 2 years with American health experts who were collecting data on health issues regarding infants and new moms. Then, I went back to school to become an elementary teacher. After my student teaching, I was hired to come and teach at Longan French Magnet School in Kansas City.

After a year of teaching kindergarten, I realized that I needed to learn more about American kids and their culture. I decided to go back to school at UMKC where I obtained a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2004.

With 15 years in the Kansas City Public School District, I’ve taught kindergarten (5 years), first grade (1 year), second grade (2 years), third (3 years), and fourth and fifth grades (4 years). I joined Académie Lafayette in 2014 to teach science and math to fifth grade, which I still enjoy very much. I am a mother of a beautiful and intelligent young woman named Manuella.

Sheila Rowan Profile

My name is Sheila Rowan, and I am honored to be a part of the Académie Lafayette community. This year is my 20th year of teaching and my 5th year here at AL. I love teaching 4th grade English and Communication Arts. I graduated from Rockhurst University with a BA and a Master’s in Education.

I have two beautiful daughters, Siobhan (18) and Alana (16). I lived in Ireland for almost two years, and my girls and I travel as much as we can. I love movies, reading, games (especially Scrabble!), music, and going to see the Royals play. My philosophy of teaching revolves around an eloquent quote that I just stumbled across after teaching a nonfiction unit on inventors. Ben Franklin once said… “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Click here to access my website.

Moulaye Seydi Profile

A father of three, I have two girls and a boy. I got my teaching degree in Senegal where I taught for 6 years. I earned a master’s in education at the University of Central Missouri. I also coach the first AL Students Spaceflight Exploration Program (SSEP) and went to a NASA trip for the 10 winners awards in 2014. I am very passionate about soccer, and I co-coach the AL middle school soccer team.

Madeleine Sifadjam Profile

I am a native of N’kongsamba, Cameroon. I attended the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a year, moved to England the following year, then to Paris where I graduated from the University of Sorbonne, Paris, with a double major in foreign languages (English and Spanish) and international law. I started my teaching career as a French and English teacher in Cameroon in 1986. I worked for the KCPS from 1993 to 2011. I finally joined the Académie Lafayette Great Team in 2011. I was attracted to AL by its excellent team of teachers, great students, and supportive parents.

I have 2 sons and 2 grandchildren (both boys as well!). I enjoy entertaining, dancing, cooking, reading, watching political news, and watching movies. I like traveling to other countries and I have visited several in Europe and in Africa. I’m a “hidden” event coordinator: I have coordinated all the weddings or any other event in my family, and also helped friends free of charge.

Céline Ghisalberti Profile

I come from the south of France, close to Marseille, but I have also lived in South Africa, Congo and Guinea. I have been teaching since 2005 and joined Académie Lafayette in 2013. I studied physical education to become a PE teacher but when I got to the elementary school training, I knew that it was the age group I wanted to work with.
My pedagogical approach is based on my students’ learning styles. I like to organize workshops where the students can use their auditive, visual and kinesthetic skills. Students work at their own pace (well not too slow, though….) I also love teaching science because we have so much fun with all the experiments (yes, I am a kinesthetic learner!)

Corinne Charruau Profile

I grew up near Angers, France. I taught in French immersion schools in Minneapolis, MN from 2004 to 2006. I’ve been with AL since 2006. I have a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from UCM and an elementary education certification from the state of Missouri. I enjoy hiking, running, playing ping pong, learning about History and going on road trips. My goal is to visit all the US national parks!

Click here to visit Mme Charruau’s website!

Judy Clause Profile

Bonjour from the library! My name is Judy Clause, and I do the technical work in the library one day a week. This is mostly cataloging of new books and helping to make sure books make it back to the library from homes. I am a retired teacher and certified library media specialist. I taught in the primary grades, mostly 3rd grade for more years that I will admit! Then, I became a librarian.

Working at AL is like working in a small global community with teachers from many different places. I have even learned a few words and phrases in French! The staff here has been very kind and patient with this non-French speaking librarian. I love my time at AL and am so impressed with the way the staff works so hard for their students’ success. The children never cease to amaze me at how quickly they transition to French. I feel lucky to be here with this staff and these students. It has truly been a learning experience for me!

Allison Crumley Profile

I am a Kansas City girl, born and raised. I attended UMKC, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to many other countries around the world and have gotten to use my French while on vacation. 2013 is the year I started working at Académie Lafayette, but I wasn’t full time until 2014. I am also a former student of the school, and my daughter is a current student. When I am not at school, I enjoy traveling, shopping, and doing things around KC with my daughter.

Melanie Soeun Profile

I was born in Nantes in the west part of France among the vineyard where I used to play when I was young. I have been teaching since 2006 and since 2016 at AL. I have studied at the University of Nantes. I have a degree in French as a foreign language, in foreign languages, and in education.

I am married with two kids. I love traveling and teaching abroad. I was an Au Pair in Spain, an assistant in Gibraltar and a volunteer teacher at The University in Ho Chi Minh Ville. Then I taught French as a foreign language in Cambodia at the university, at the French Cultural Center, and in a military school. When I came back from Cambodia, I went back to the university to become a primary school teacher. I taught in preschool, elementary, and special education in Vendée, France. In 2013, I moved to the island of Saint Martin for three years. When I was there, in 2016, I decided to answer an ad. That’s what led me to teach at AL. I really enjoy reading, movies, and traveling around new places.

André Sockmack Profile

My name is André Sockmack, a native from Cameroon, a French speaking country in Central Africa. I have been teaching children, as well as adults, for more than 25 years. I have been teaching in the U.S. for 18 years and at Académie Lafayette for 11 years. I got my bachelor’s degree from the University of Yaoundé and a master’s degree in the art of teaching from Webster University.

I am a teacher, an author, and a writer of the series called La Pratique de l’Immersion en Français “Practical French Immersion.” I have a great family with three children. I love reading, listening to classical music, and being around happy people.

“I believe that Teaching is a Call from the above. I have been inspired to become an inspiring person.”

Amanda Lyons Profile

Hello! My name is Amanda Lyons, and I teach third grade at the Cherry campus. I have been teaching for over 10 years, more than 3 of which have been at Académie Lafayette. I hold degrees in French and romance languages from UMKC. I have also attended classes at the Université Lumiere II in Lyon, France. I am originally from Michigan and also lived in Kansas before my husband and I settled in Kansas City, Missouri, almost 16 years ago. I have 2 beautiful daughters, one in high school and one in elementary school. I love music and dance. I am an avid DIYer and the handyman around our house. I also love to read and learn and am a big time TED Radio Hour fan. Thanks for stopping by to read a little about me. See you at school!

Marie Charles Profile

I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After graduating from high school, I lived, studied, and worked first in Belgium, then in Mexico. I obtained my undergraduate at Saint Xavier University in Chicago and my master’s at UMKC. I am currently finishing my doctoral degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I am certified in Missouri in both French and Spanish. As of 2017, I have buckled 21 years of teaching, 18 of which spanned from kindergarten to university, right here in the United States.

Justin Jones Profile

Bonjour! I was born and raised in Independence, Missouri. I have been teaching here at AL ever since 2010 when I was placed to do my student teaching and observations. I fell in love immediately with the school and the culture and decided that I would do anything to work here. I graduated high school from Fort Osage where I was inspired by my French teacher that I really had a knack for the French language. I decided to go to the University of Missouri-Kansas City where I majored in K-12 French Education and certification also in elementary education. I love to travel, play volleyball, cook, and get together with my fellow amazing colleagues. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been at AL for almost 10 years now and I wouldn’t change it one bit. I love getting to introduce these little kindergarteners to the French language and shaping their minds to be globally active.

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Alix Lasker

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