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.
Call us at 203-707-0710, email ecole@afnwct.org.
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.
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.
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.
Louise Churyk
Bonjour, my name is Louise and I have been teaching for the AFNWCT since 2023, in person in Southbury and on Zoom.
I was born in Nice and lucky to grow up in various regions of France.
My degrees are from the University of Bordeaux (BA in Foreign Languages for business) and the University of Angers (Masters in Hotel and Event Management).
I then worked for hotels in Paris, Montreal and for the French Convention Bureau in New York City. Shortly after I moved to Connecticut, I discovered the joys of teaching French when I worked for the (former) Ritz College of Hospitality Management and tutored at local middle/high schools. I now truly enjoy sharing my love for the French language and culture with our enthusiastic Alliance students!
A bientôt!
Yasmina Mekaoui
Yasmina was born and raised in Meudon, France, a charming town just 25 minutes from Paris and home to the renowned Paris-Meudon Observatory. She graduated from the University of Paris VIII with a degree in English, Spanish, and Economics. Her passion for languages and cultural exchange has taken her to England, Canada, and, since 2005, the United States. During her 5 years in Montreal, Canada, she worked as a marketing associate, gaining valuable professional experience in an international environment. Today, Yasmina combines her love of languages with her passion for teaching. She tutors students of all ages and proficiency levels, tailoring each lesson to meet individual learning needs while fostering confidence, curiosity, and a genuine enjoyment of the learning process. Yasmina is a proud wife and mother of 2. Whenever possible, she enjoys returning to France to visit family and friends. In her free time, she has a deep appreciation for cinema, literature, photography, and travel, interests that continue to enrich both her personal life and her teaching.
