Faculty

Jennifer Lemaire

Classroom Teacher

Jennifer Lemaire is a highly accomplished and versatile educator whose dedication to teaching is evident in every aspect of her work. A certified Professeur des Écoles through the French Ministry of Education (MENJS), with experience under the AEFE and MLF networks, Jennifer brings a deep commitment to academic excellence and continuous professional development.

She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is also certified in sign language instruction, further enriching her inclusive teaching practice. During the 2023–2024 academic year, Jennifer taught at the French American School of Tampa Bay, where she became acquainted with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), embracing its inquiry-based, student-centered approach.

In the summer of 2024, Jennifer relocated to Maine to join the faculty of L’École Française du Maine, bringing with her a spirit of exploration and a love of nature. An avid hiker, she enjoys discovering the woodlands of the Northeastern United States and sharing her curiosity with students.

Known for her positive energy, and pedagogical creativity, she is adept at balancing high expectations with warmth, ambition, and humor.

In addition to her teaching expertise, Jennifer is passionate about the performing arts. She has studied acting for many years and has directed several student productions.

Jennifer’s multifaceted talents—as an educator and artist—make her a vital part of our teaching team. She continues to inspire students through engaging, imaginative, and transformative learning experiences that foster creativity, confidence, and a lasting love of learning.

Riley Anthony

English Language Arts Teacher

Riley Anthony is an experienced and highly skilled educator who leads the English Language Arts program at L’École Française du Maine. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Sociology from Keene State College and is certified in both Elementary Education and Special Education for grades K–8 in the state of Maine. During her university studies, Riley also spent a semester at York St. John University in England, an experience that broadened her international and cultural perspective.
Since joining L’École Française du Maine several years ago, Riley has developed and implemented the school’s English Language Arts curriculum across the elementary grades. She designs thoughtful, engaging instruction that strengthens students’ skills in reading, writing, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and written expression. Working with children across multiple grade levels, Riley carefully adapts her teaching to meet students at their individual stages of development while ensuring continuity and academic progression throughout the elementary program.
Riley has specialized training in literacy instruction, including the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured, multisensory method for teaching phonics, decoding, spelling, and reading. Her additional training and experience include Lindamood-Bell, Reading with TLC, and Seeing Stars methodologies. This extensive literacy background allows her to identify how individual students learn best and to provide systematic, explicit instruction that builds strong foundational skills, confidence, and a lasting appreciation for reading and writing.
Before joining the school, Riley spent six years teaching students with significant behavioral and learning needs at Coastal Ridge Elementary School and East End Community School. In these roles, she helped develop individualized support programs designed to improve student engagement, behavior, and academic success. Her special-education background remains an important strength in her current teaching, enabling her to work effectively with students who have a wide range of abilities and learning profiles, including children with special educational needs as well as gifted and advanced learners.
Riley brings expertise, creativity, patience, and careful planning to her classroom. Her strong background in curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and inclusive education enables her to create a supportive learning environment in which every student is appropriately challenged and given the tools needed to succeed. Her commitment to literacy and to the growth and well-being of each child makes her a valued member of the L’École Française du Maine teaching team.
Riley lives in Saco with her husband, their daughter, Poppy, and their two dogs. Outside school, she enjoys visiting the beach, reading, exploring local restaurants, and practicing calligraphy.

Anaëlle Marret

Classroom Teacher

Anaëlle grew up in central France and is an experienced French educator with a strong background in elementary, early childhood, and multi-age teaching. After earning her baccalauréat in mathematics and science, she completed a degree in communication at Université Blaise Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand. Her early experience working with children as an au pair in Maryland confirmed her desire to pursue a career in education.
Upon returning to France, Anaëlle earned a master’s degree in education and received her teaching certification from the French Ministry of National Education. She began her career teaching fourth and fifth grades in several schools within the Loire school district before expanding her international experience at the French International School of Bogotá, Colombia. Over the course of her career, Anaëlle has taught children at many stages of their educational development, from maternelle through the upper elementary grades. Her experience includes moyenne section, kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade, giving her a particularly strong understanding of how children’s academic, social, and emotional needs evolve across the primary years.
Anaëlle has been a valued member of the teaching team at L’École Française du Maine for several years and currently teaches a combined kindergarten and first-grade class. Her extensive experience with different age groups has made her especially skilled in multi-age instruction. She thoughtfully differentiates her teaching to accommodate varying levels of readiness, learning styles, and individual needs while creating a cohesive classroom community in which children learn both independently and alongside one another.
Anaëlle brings warmth, experience, and enthusiasm to her classroom and is deeply committed to helping every child feel welcomed, supported, and eager to learn. She especially enjoys creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to participate actively, explore new ideas, and develop confidence and independence. Her caring approach and genuine love of teaching foster a positive classroom environment in which children are engaged, challenged, and known as individuals.
Outside the classroom, Anaëlle enjoys reading, swimming, running, and traveling.

Douglas NEVEU

Classroom Teacher and Outdoor Education Coordinator

Douglas Neveu grew up in Le Mans, in France’s Loire Valley, a historic city best known for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race and a long tradition of craftsmanship and culture. From an early age, Douglas balanced two passions: learning and athletics. While studying at Le Mans Université, he pursued languages and international education, earning a degree in English before continuing graduate studies in French as a Foreign Language. During those years, he also spent many hours on the field playing and coaching American football, an experience that shaped the collaborative and energetic approach he brings to the classroom today.

Douglas first discovered Maine in 2017, when he came to the United States for an internship at The French School of Maine. He later continued his training at the Maine Coast Waldorf School, experiences that confirmed his vocation for elementary education and his appreciation for schools that value curiosity, creativity, and experiential learning.

For the past eight years, Douglas has been part of the teaching team at Le Monde French Immersion Public Charter School in Portland, Oregon, an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) school with a philosophy very close to ours. There he taught both third and fifth grade, designing engaging bilingual lessons, supporting a wide range of learners, and helping students develop both academic confidence and a strong sense of curiosity about the world.

Returning to Maine feels especially meaningful for Douglas. His wife is originally from Yarmouth, and the family is excited to settle back in the state and become part of the local community once again.

Outside the classroom, Douglas is happiest exploring the outdoors. He enjoys trail running, hiking, climbing, and cooking, and he is always ready for a good board game with family and friends. His love of nature and hands-on learning aligns perfectly with the school’s mission of connecting children to the outdoors while fostering independence, curiosity, and joy in learning.

Douglas will also be joining the community as a school parent, as his child will be entering the preschool program next year, making the school not only his place of teaching, but also a place where his own family will grow alongside the students and families he serves.

Beth Gallant

Classroom Teacher

Beth Gallant is a bilingual early childhood educator, a Maine native, and the parent of two children at L’École Française du Maine. Together with her husband, who is originally from Nantes, France, she is raising their daughters in a bilingual and bicultural French-American family. This personal experience, combined with her professional expertise, gives Beth a meaningful perspective on bilingual education and a strong connection to the mission and community of the school.
Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor in 2006. Shortly after graduating, an opportunity to teach at a college-run summer camp sparked what would become a lasting professional commitment to education. She subsequently worked as a substitute teacher and childcare provider in the greater Portland area, gaining valuable experience with young children and steadily developing her teaching practice.
In 2011, Beth moved across the country to pursue advanced teacher training and earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Later that year, while visiting Maine, she met her future husband. The couple ultimately chose to settle in Portland, where they are now raising their two bilingual daughters.
Beth’s children have attended L’École Française du Maine since 2021, and Beth joined the school’s faculty in 2023. She now serves as the lead teacher for the school’s youngest learners in the combined Toute Petite and Petite Sections. Her dual perspective as both a teacher and a parent allows her to understand deeply the trust families place in the school, particularly when their very young children are taking their first steps into a classroom environment.
Beth is known for her gentle, patient, and reassuring presence. She creates a calm, nurturing, and thoughtfully organized classroom in which young children feel safe, loved, and confident enough to explore their surroundings and develop increasing independence. Her intentional teaching practices reflect a strong understanding of early childhood development and the importance of responsive routines, purposeful play, hands-on discovery, and warm, consistent relationships during these foundational years.
A strong advocate for bilingual education, Beth is committed to helping children develop fluency in two languages while growing confident in navigating two cultures. She believes that early bilingualism fosters communication, empathy, curiosity, open-mindedness, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Her professional training, loving nature, and genuine understanding of young children make her especially well suited to guiding the school’s youngest students at the beginning of their educational journey.
Outside school, Beth enjoys spending time with her family and their dog. She loves the outdoors and especially enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming during the summer at her parents’ camp on Little Sebago Lake. When time allows, she also enjoys knitting and reading.

Raphaël Robin

Classroom Teacher

Raphaël is an experienced early childhood educator who teaches the EC4/moyenne section class at L’École Française du Maine. Originally from France, he earned his baccalauréat in literature before completing a bachelor’s degree in Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS) at the University of Dijon. He specialized in adapted physical education and the use of movement and sports to support individuals with disabilities.
Raphaël began his professional career teaching sports and physical activities to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and psychological disabilities. This experience strengthened his ability to observe individual needs, adapt activities thoughtfully, and create structured environments in which every participant could experience progress and success.
Since joining L’École Française du Maine several years ago, Raphaël has developed extensive classroom experience and discovered a particular passion for early childhood education. While teaching at the school, and with its encouragement and support, he continued his professional development and completed a teacher-training master’s degree, further strengthening his knowledge of child development, curriculum planning, instructional practice, and classroom management.
In his EC4 classroom, Raphaël creates a calm, organized, and welcoming environment in which young children feel secure, valued, and ready to learn. He is attentive to each child’s development and establishes clear, consistent routines that encourage independence, cooperation, and confidence. His students benefit from engaging, hands-on learning experiences that incorporate manipulatives, movement, exploration, and purposeful play to make new concepts concrete and meaningful.
Raphaël has an excellent rapport with young children, who respond warmly to his patient, reassuring, and consistent approach. As a male educator in a field where men remain underrepresented, he also provides children with a valuable and caring role model. His warmth, steadiness, and genuine enjoyment of teaching make him an important member of the school’s early childhood team.
Outside the classroom, Raphaël enjoys nature and outdoor activities. He is also interested in leatherworking and enjoys creating small handcrafted objects.

Maria Crispi Currie

Teacher in Training

Maria Crispi Messa Currie was born in Bata, in the Litoral region of Equatorial Guinea, to an Equatoguinean mother and a Spanish father. Raised in a multicultural family, she spent her childhood in seven different African countries before completing her secondary education entirely in French in Paris, France. These experiences gave her a deep appreciation for languages, cultural diversity, and the importance of building connections among people from different backgrounds.
Maria is a native Spanish speaker with native-level fluency in both French and English. Her multilingual abilities and international upbringing allow her to communicate naturally across languages and cultures and bring a truly global perspective to the community of L’École Française du Maine.
Maria is currently pursuing studies in Early Childhood Education and has completed professional training in Maine’s Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS). As a Teacher in Training, she works alongside experienced educators in preschool and elementary classrooms while continuing to develop her knowledge of child development, curriculum, and effective classroom practice.
She has gained experience in preschool and pre-kindergarten classrooms in both Florida and Maine. In these settings, she has supported teachers with classroom preparation, learning activities, and daily routines while helping young children develop their language, social-emotional, and foundational academic skills. Energetic, empathetic, and eager to learn, Maria enjoys contributing to a bilingual educational environment and supporting students and teachers throughout the school day.
Maria’s multilingual and international background has shaped her belief that education and language are powerful tools for bringing people and communities together. She is also committed to raising her own children in a trilingual environment and believes that learning multiple languages from an early age fosters cultural understanding, connection, and opportunity.
Outside the classroom, Maria enjoys Latin dance, music, movement, traveling, and discovering new places and cultures.

Jeanette Doughty

Teacher in Training

Jeanette is a Teacher in Training at L’École Française du Maine, where she has become a versatile and highly trusted member of the educational team. Born in Portland and raised in nearby Topsham, she developed an interest in languages at an early age through her study of Latin. In high school, an initial desire to read French literature led her to discover a lasting appreciation for the French language and culture.
Jeanette earned a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and French from the University of Southern Maine. Building upon this strong academic foundation, she is now pursuing continuing education in teaching methods, early childhood education, and elementary education to expand her formal teacher training and further develop her classroom practice.
Jeanette initially joined L’École Française du Maine as a member of the aftercare team. Her natural rapport with children, creativity, dependability, and strong organizational abilities were quickly recognized, and her role soon expanded to include assisting teachers in the classroom. During her several years at the school, she has worked with children across all age groups, from the school’s youngest preschool students through the elementary grades. This broad experience has given her a strong understanding of children’s differing developmental stages, learning needs, and classroom routines.
Jeanette is particularly skilled in classroom management and is able to establish a calm, orderly, and productive learning environment with students of all ages. She approaches each day with careful preparation, clear expectations, and a strong sense of purpose. Students understand what is expected of them and respond positively to her consistent, respectful manner. The genuine rapport and mutual respect she develops with children allow her to guide and encourage them while remaining attentive to their individual needs, helping students stay engaged, work productively, and take pride in their learning.
Her reliability and instructional skill make Jeanette a highly valued substitute throughout the school. Teachers trust her to step into their classrooms, follow established plans, maintain continuity, and ensure that meaningful learning continues in their absence. Whether supporting a classroom teacher or assuming responsibility for the day’s instruction, she is thorough, focused, and committed to completing the planned lessons and helping students achieve the intended learning goals.
In her role as a Teacher in Training, Jeanette works alongside experienced educators while continuing to strengthen her skills in lesson preparation, curriculum implementation, classroom instruction, and student support. Her background in linguistics and French is especially valuable within the school’s bilingual environment, and she enjoys helping children develop their language and communication skills.
Jeanette is also a gifted artist whose creativity enriches her work with students. She enjoys introducing children to imaginative, hands-on projects and encouraging them to express their ideas through art and creative exploration. Her combination of creativity, organization, consistency, and genuine care for children allows her to bring both warmth and structure to every classroom in which she works.
Outside school, Jeanette enjoys designing and crocheting amigurumi—especially dragons and horses—as well as horseback riding, baking, cooking, reading, and exploring a wide variety of artistic projects.

Apolline Adolphe

Assistant Teacher

Apolline Adolphe is a native French speaker who brings warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to her work with children at L’École Française du Maine. Born in Metz, in the Lorraine region of eastern France, she grew up surrounded by French language, culture, and music. Since joining the school, Apolline has gained valuable experience working with young children and has become a caring and dependable member of the educational team.
Apolline supports teachers and students in the classrooms and also works with children in the school’s aftercare program. Through these varied responsibilities, she has developed experience with classroom routines, age-appropriate activities, student supervision, and the social-emotional needs of young children. She enjoys building positive relationships with students and helping to create an environment in which they feel comfortable, included, and encouraged to participate.
As a native French speaker, Apolline provides children with natural and meaningful opportunities to hear and use French throughout the day. Whether assisting with classroom activities, engaging children in conversation, or supporting them during aftercare, she helps reinforce their language development through warm, authentic interactions. She looks forward to continuing in her role supporting the school’s classrooms and aftercare program during the coming year.
Music is also an important part of Apolline’s life and one of the special talents she brings to the school community. Raised in a family of professional classical musicians, she studied for ten years at the Conservatory of Music in Metz, specializing in the viola. Her father is a cello professor and conductor, her mother performed with the National Orchestra of Lorraine, and two of her uncles have served as directors of music conservatories in France. This rich musical background developed Apolline’s discipline, creativity, and appreciation for artistic expression—qualities that naturally enrich her interactions and activities with children.
Apolline also completed professional studies in hospitality, with a focus on culinary arts and table service. After earning her diploma, she traveled to North Carolina as an au pair. Living with and supporting an American family gave her valuable experience caring for children and inspired a lasting interest in working with young learners.
Apolline is especially pleased that her connection to L’École Française du Maine will grow this year as her own daughter joins the school. She looks forward to participating in the community as both a staff member and a parent and to sharing the benefits of a bilingual and multicultural education with her family.

Shaina Graff

Suzuki Violin Teacher

Shaina has been teaching violin through the Suzuki Method at L’Ecole Française du Maine since 2012. She began playing at age three as a Suzuki student herself, and music has been an integral part of her life ever since. Her Suzuki instructors include John Kendall and more recently, Teacher Training from Ronda Cole, Kimberly Meier-Sims, Cathryn Lee, and Linda Fiore. She pursued a Bachelors’s and Masters’s degree in Music Performance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduating with honors under Hungarian Professor Michael Barta. Further individual studies with violinists around the world include Timothy Shiu, David Kim, and Geza Koposh. She was honored chamber music coaching with Cavani String Quartet and Kodaly String Quartet. During her studies, she appeared as concertmaster and soloist with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, as well as performed with the Chamber Music Society and Altgeld Chamber Players.
Shaina directs her own studio, Shaina’s Strings Studio, and has been providing violin and viola lessons to aspiring musicians of all ages for over a decade. Her students are involved in community events, orchestras, performances, competitions, and have gone on to receive scholarships at the university level. Locally, Shaina’s Strings students have been proud to play for the Portland Pirates and Portland Sea Dogs games. Seeking to spread the enjoyment and passion for music to all, Shaina’s Strings students enjoy playing music of all genres with the fundamentals and technique to take them to unlimited possibilities. Shaina served as President of Maine Suzuki Association. She currently is a member of the Suzuki Association of America, Maine Suzuki Association, and String Teachers Association.
As a professional violinist, Shaina performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Symphony, concertmaster for Mozart Mentors Orchestra, and principle 2nd Violin for Maine State Ballet Nutcracker Orchestra. Other performances include Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Union Avenue Opera, Tulsa Opera Co., Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Winter Opera St. Louis, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony, Southeast Missouri Symphony, and the Southern Illinois Summer Music Festival Orchestra. Additionally, to orchestral settings, Shaina is extremely passionate about chamber music. She served as vice president of the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society and for over a decade as a violinist of the Chautauqua String Ensemble. She desires to create more opportunities for musicians and to enhance the musical connection with the community through chamber music. Shaina strives to make a positive, valuable impact on musicians and music lovers of all ages. She treasures the role she partakes in each violinist’s educational life and looks forward to unlimited possibilities to come. She believes Music is the Alchemy of Life.
www.shainastrings.com Shaina@shainastrings.com

Jennifer Lemaire

Riley Anthony

Anaëlle Marret

Douglas NEVEU

Beth Gallant

Raphaël Robin

Maria Crispi Currie

Jeanette Doughty

Valerie Khaloo

Apolline Adolphe

Mycha Otshudi

Katherine Mueller

Martine Goldberg

Lindz Amer

Shaina Graff

Peter Dugas

Ben Noyes

Mary Furth