Teachers
Our team of teachers have diverse backgrounds and amazing experience and education. Each one is passionate about teaching students the wonder and beauty of the French language.
Nancy Callahan
My name is Madame Marie-Odile and I profess that French should be started at an early age. I grew up in a French and English bilingual family and received my degree in French, English and Education.
I taught French in After School programs for eight years in the Stratford and Fairfield Schools. I have been sharing my enthusiasm for all things French with the children of the Alliance Française for eight years.
I am now the Director of the Language School.
Joanne Hutchings
Joanne Hutchings received an Associate’s Degree from Western CT State University and then devoted time to raising four children. She then decided to return to college and attended Fairfield University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies with a concentration in French.
She was a substitute teacher for three years in the New Milford Public School system and enjoyed the experience so much that she enrolled once again at Fairfield University and received a Master’s Degree in Education.
She taught high school French (levels I – IV) for eight years at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School in Waterbury, CT and in addition to teaching at WAMS, taught one class of French III this past school year at John F. Kennedy High School, also located in Waterbury.
Recently retired from teaching in the public school system, she is excited to continue promoting the learning of the French language and culture at our Alliance Française.
Madame Hutchings teaches classes for adults and teens.
Anette Roth
Anette is German and has many years of teaching experience in French, German and English in secondary and higher education. She is a graduate of the University of Mainz, Germany with a degree in Translation Studies, Linguistics and Cultural Studies. She also obtained her MA in Translation/Applied Linguistics in French, English and German. In addition to teaching adults at AFNWCT Anette has taught DELF certificate classes and administers DELF exams at the Institut Français in Germany. Together with her husband, she has recently moved back to Germany to be closer to her family but continues to teach French at AFNWCT online as well as in person on her regular visits to CT. Her focus is on culture and arts together with linguistic and grammar basics to offer students custom-made French classes and travel preparations. All classes are morning/lunchtime classes.
Christine Afiouni
Bonjour, my name is Christine Afiouni and I was born and raised in the south of France, in Provence. I studied English and German for many years and I am passionate with foreign languages and understand the importance of sharing my knowledge with English-speaking people who wish to learn French. I love that learning a foreign language also teaches you about a different culture.
I received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in international business and foreign languages from Aix-Marseille University, France. I have also taught French to teens and adults in a private environment for many years. I live in New Preston, Connecticut, with my husband, a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year old son who are bilingual, and our rescue dog (he’s bilingual too!) We travel to France as much as we can to see my family there.
Evelyne Purdy
I bring to the Alliance Francaise Language School my native language and extensive educational experience. I received my Bacalaureat de Philosophie from the Universite de Rennes. From the Universite de Rouen I received my Licence d’Anglais. I taught English in a French Middle School before coming to America.
In America, I taught French at Berlitz in Stamford and Westport. I also tutored homebound students for the Ridgefield School System. I have taught at the UConn Torrington Branch and I also developed and taught a French Culinary Class at the Swiss Hospitality Institute in Washington, CT.
I have been a member of the AFNWCT for over 20 years and have been a participant in many of its activities. In the past few years, I have been on the Finance Committee of the Alliance Francaise and more recently I have been on the Board in the capacity of Secretary andpresently Vice President. I am currently teaching an Advanced Conversation course for Adults.
