Instructors & Staff

executive.director@alliancehouston.org

marketing@alliancehouston.org

events@alliancehouston.org

programs@alliancehouston.org

admin@alliancehouston.org

youthprograms@alliancehouston.org

exams@alliancehouston.org

About Me:
Hello everyone! My name is Bertrand Préhu, and I am a native speaker born in Paris. I have the pleasure of living in Houston with my wife and our two children. Growing up in the City of Light, I fell in love with the beauty and elegance of the French language from a young age.

Academic and Professional Background:
I hold a master's degree in HR management and have had the opportunity to work in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States. My international professional journey has provided me with valuable experiences, but my heart has always remained tied to my native language, French.

Passions and Interests:
Beyond my passion for teaching French, I have two other great interests in life: history and photography. The history of France has always fascinated me, and I am delighted to share this knowledge with my students to enrich our understanding of French language and culture.

Commitment to Service:
I was proud to serve in the French Navy, where I have been honored for my service. This commitment to duty and discipline drives me in my role as a French teacher, where I strive to provide my students with a conducive environment for learning and growth.

Soon, an Illustrated Children's Book:
Apart from teaching, I am also pursuing another creative endeavor. I am excited to announce that before the end of the year, I will be publishing an illustrated children's book about the adventures of a little spider. Sharing my passion for words and imagination with young curious minds brings me great joy.

My Teaching Approach:
As a French teacher, my goal is to create a friendly and stimulating learning environment where every student feels comfortable expressing themselves and asking questions. I aim to make my classes interactive and enjoyable, with a focus on oral communication to build my students' confidence in speaking French fluently.

Join Me in This Beautiful Linguistic Journey:
Whether you are a beginner or looking to enhance your French language skills, I am thrilled to accompany you on this linguistic adventure. Together, we will explore the richness of the French language, French culture, and traditions while having fun learning.

I look forward to meeting you soon in our French classes!

My name is Bintou Mvore Keita, I am from Gabon & Mali (Central and West Africa ) and grew up in Gabon. I am 26 years old and I have been living in Houston since 2018. I came here after I graduate High School in Ivory Coast , to study. I had my Associate degree in Math, Earth and Science in 2022, and I started working as a teacher for the 2nd , 3rd and 4th grader for a year , before deciding to go back to school, I am currently pursuing my Bachelor degree in Computer Science. I’m really passionate about food, I worked as a private chef for 2 years here in Houston.

I love trying food from different culture and I love music.

I am really happy to be a part of the Alliance Française of Houston. I started this summer as a teacher for the Summer Camp. I look forward to meet you and have the privilege to be your teacher!

Bonjour, je m'appelle Camille, une "nantaise pur beurre"! Yes, that's an expression we like to use in my hometown as it’s famous for its iconic "petits beurres," biscuits made of butter that were a staple of my childhood!

After studying English and Spanish at the University of Nantes, I pursued a master’s degree in teaching French to non-French-speaking audiences in Angers, driven by my love for the French language and culture. Now, I’m living in Nice, known for its stunning "French Riviera," where I teach both in person and online to learners from all over the world!

Every class and conversation is, for me, an opportunity to share anecdotes about the daily life of French people. My priority is to create a trusting and open environment so that French lessons can be as enjoyable and effective as possible. I love getting to know my students and letting them get to know me, so we can have genuine exchanges and spontaneity during lessons. My experience confirms it: there’s nothing better than learning together!

I enjoy meeting people with diverse personalities, backgrounds, aspirations, and goals, so it’s with great pleasure that I’ll share this wonderful journey of learning French with you!

À bientôt !

Cécilia started at the Alliance Française de Houston in 2004 where she completed an internship to obtain her Master’s  Degree “ Maîtrise de Français Langue Étrangère “ from the University of Nantes, France. From then on, she taught all levels of children‘s and adults classes, contributed in developing the children’s program, became certified Delf Prim examiner and also worked part time as an administrative coordinator before taking a break to raise her two boys Alex and Ben.

She believes in communicative approach and cannot wait to teach you in person.

Bonjour à tous ! Je m'appelle David.

I was born in France, in a city called Saint-Germain-En-Laye, the birthplace of King Louis XIV. And yes, there is a castle there but smaller than Versailles!

My father is Portuguese and my mother is Spanish. I was very lucky during my childhood to be able to travel in Europe and speak foreign languages on summer holidays. Now I am quadrilingual!

After 10 years of experience in digital marketing in France, I discovered the profession of French teacher during my 3 years in Australia. It was an obvious career change for me, who has always loved languages.

I arrived in Houston in 2024 and embraced American culture! Although challenging, it's always exciting to discover a new way of life and it is no small thing to say that Americans and French people do not live in the same way, especially in Texas where everything is big!

You'll learn this soon enough but I'm very talkative, but also patient and organized, which I think are necessary qualities to be a Teacher.

My motto for improving your French? To learn while having fun in a friendly atmosphere.

Of course the French language is beautiful but sometimes it's difficult with many exceptions. My advice? Don't be ashamed if you make mistakes, trying always ends up succeeding!

Besides my passion for France, I have another one: board games! I love spending quality time with my friends and family around a table and having fun together (even if in the end I still want to win haha).

A bientôt et vive la France !

Gigi is the ultimate global citizen, teacher by training, and lover of the French language and culture. She was born in Saigon, raised in Paris, studied in Montreal, and worked in London. Gigi is trilingual, with French as her mother tongue, and holds three passports.  

Gigi carved out a distinguished career in Chicago as a French teacher for children, teenagers and adults, from beginner to advanced level. In 2015, the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) awarded Gigi its "Prix d'Excellence" for outstanding contributions to the teaching of French language and culture in the state of Illinois and she recently received the "Ludwig National Award for Excellence in Teaching" by AATF as well. 

Gigi is thrilled to join the team at Alliance Française de Houston ! and teach online courses !

Gigi is the ultimate global citizen, teacher by training, and lover of the French language and culture. She was born in Saigon, raised in Paris, studied in Montreal, and worked in London. Gigi is trilingual, with French as her mother tongue, and holds three passports.  

Gigi carved out a distinguished career in Chicago as a French teacher for children, teenagers and adults, from beginner to advanced level. In 2015, the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) awarded Gigi its "Prix d'Excellence" for outstanding contributions to the teaching of French language and culture in the state of Illinois and she recently received the "Ludwig National Award for Excellence in Teaching" by AATF as well. 

Gigi is thrilled to join the team at Alliance Française de Houston ! and teach online courses !

Bonjour! Je suis Isabelle Perreau, a native of Angers - Loire Valley, France. With a deep-rooted passion for education, philosophy, and the French language, my journey as a teacher has been a fulfilling adventure spanning diverse countries and cultures.

Academic and Professional Background:

I hold a Masters degree with honors in Philosophy from the esteemed Paris University of Nanterre. My pursuit of knowledge led me to Caracas, Venezuela, where I embarked on a different path as a psychoanalyst, becoming a member of the Escuela del Campo Freudiano founded by J. Lacan in Caracas.

Teaching Journey:

My love for teaching became evident during my time in Caracas. At the Alliance Française of Caracas, I embraced the opportunity to share my language and culture with eager learners. Simultaneously, I taught Philosophy at the Colegio Francia, where my own children attended. I also served as the head teacher of the department of French for the Venezuelan section.

From Caracas to Houston:

Life's journey brought me to Houston, where I continued my passion for teaching at the Alliance Française of Houston. For 23 years, I have dedicated myself to empowering students with the beauty of the French language and fostering a deep appreciation for its culture.

Enriching Experiences:

Throughout my teaching career, I have orchestrated enriching experiences for my students. Organizing class trips, hosting a monthly ciné-club, art exhibitions, and literary gastronomic dinners with my advanced students, have been rewarding opportunities to engage with my learners beyond the classroom.

Photography and Art:

Beyond teaching, I am a keen photographer and a member of Archway Gallery. My creative pursuits have led me to participate three times in the prestigious FotoFest International. My first exhibit, "Sous le ciel de Paris," was hosted at the Alliance Française in March 2016.

Passion and Dedication:

As your French teacher, I am driven by my passion for language, culture, and art. My goal is to make your language journey enjoyable, enlightening, and memorable. Together, we will explore the nuances of French, embracing its elegance and captivating history.

Join Me on This Linguistic Adventure:

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, I am excited to embark on this linguistic adventure with you. Let us journey together, celebrate the beauty of the French language, and unlock a world of possibilities.

Au plaisir de vous rencontrer bientôt! (Looking forward to meeting you soon!) 💁🏻‍♀️

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Juan Martinez et je suis professeur de français.

To say that I am passionate about French language, history, art, and culture would be an understatement. I began learning French when I was very young because I was so intrigued by it, so I very well understand the challenges and implications of learning the language for beginning students. In the early stages of my education, I was very fortunate to study abroad three times in Québec, at Université Laval, where I pursued studies in French-Canadian and French literature. And I also had the opportunity to study in Paris, at the Alliance Française, where I took general language courses and also a course in literature. These experiences enabled me to become fluent and continue my studies in French.

As I delved in this journey, I became extremely interested in the Middle Ages. Medieval French literature and history have, for a very long time, been my main areas of interest. My favorite works of medieval literature are Le Roman de la Rose and Le Roman de Tristan et Iseut, as well as the poems by Bernard de Ventadour. As I became immersed in these, I became more and more interested in the material and artistic production of the period. This then led me to the field of art history, which I have been engaged in for a long time now. My fields of research deal with Antique, Late Antique, Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic art.

I have been teaching languages and humanities courses at several Higher Education institutions in Houston since 1999. I have worked with a broad and diverse student body throughout all these years. It brings me great joy to see students learn, use the language, and develop their skills. To blend language learning with another field in the Liberal Arts is one of my future goals. My degrees are in French and Spanish, an MA in Literature and Linguistics, and an MLA in Art History which I just recently concluded. I also speak Italian.

Traveling is one of my passions as well. The love of languages, art, and culture has taken me to places all around the world. Places I never thought I would discover. 

My hobbies, apart from traveling, also include cooking, watching television and films, reading, research, origami, music, concerts, and trying out new restaurants. I am always open to trying new foods and discovering new places.

I hope to see you in one of our courses to embark on a new and exciting adventure!

Bonjour, my name is Lilia Beddar.

I started my journey with L'Alliance Francaise de Houston in March 2025, after finishing the Diplôme d'Aptitude à l'Enseignement du Français Langue Étrangère (DAEFLE). I am very excited to be part of this incredible team.

I'm originally from Constantine, Algeria. Therefore, French has been a part of my life since I was a child. After spending 18 years in Houston, I gained a deep admiration for multicultural cultures. Language, in my opinion, is more than just a tool of communication; it is also a gateway to learning about other cultures and ideas. I enjoy traveling with my family, learning about other cultures, and tasting new foods. I'm very thrilled to inspire students and help them develop a deep passion for the French language.

Bonjour !

Je m’appelle Maelann, but people call me Mae. I was born in Annecy and raised between the beautiful cities of Annecy and Bordeaux before moving to the U.S. seven years ago. 
I'm currently a student at the University of Houston, studying Business with a passion for community, language, and culture.

Being part of the Alliance Française feels like home, and I’m proud to share my love for French language and culture with others here in Houston.

My name is Marie-Claude Bouchet and I've had the pleasure of working with the Alliance Française of Houston since 2021.

My professional journey has revolved around Learning and Development, with a strong foundation in Education. I hold a degree in HR management with a specialization in adult learning. Additionally, I've acquired British teaching qualifications, including the PTLLS (teaching in the lifelong learning sector) and the CELTA (teaching English).

I've had a diverse life experience, spending 21 years in France, another 21 in the UK, and now I call the US home.

One of my greatest passions is learning and helping others on their learning journeys. My teaching journey began as a volunteer with a London-based charity called the 'Migrant Resource Center.' I absolutely loved the unique cultural perspectives and richness that each student brought to the table.

My teaching style is very approachable, practical, and interactive. Given my background in training, I dedicate ample time to lesson preparation. I firmly believe that everyone learns differently and at their own pace. That's why I always provide PowerPoint materials summarizing our lessons and even recordings of our sessions.

If I had to guess, students might describe my classes as enjoyable, my resources as helpful, and me as patient and accessible.

I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of meeting you and having the privilege of being your teacher!

My name is Marie-Pierre Louis, I was born in France and I arrived in Houston in August 2023. I'm 47 years old and I have been a science teacher for 17 years in France. I'm happy of this change in my life because It gives me a professional opportunity to teach my native langage!

I am a wanderlust person : I love discover new environments, new cultures and new people !

My hobbies are reading, running, yoga and manual activities like knitting/sewing.

It will be a pleasure to share my passion with students of the Alliance Française of Houston or any other people from all over the globe !

I was born and raised in a small town in the Southeast of France, surrounded by vineyards, peaches & apricots trees and lavenders fields.

I moved to Houston in 2014. I was supposed to stay for 18 months, but I am still here and I have now 2 kids ( 2 little Texans 🤠).

I have a master degree in FLE (Français Langue Etrangère) and I have been teaching at the French Alliance of Houston since 2016.

I have adults and kids’ classes, all levels.

I also passed the qualification to be an DELF/ DALF examiner.

My classes are engaging and based on sharing French traditions, cultural events and real-life situations with my students. Meanwhile working on specialized lexical and grammar acquisition.

I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, sharing life experience. I love music and dancing, reading, watching sports (specially soccer) and going out with my family and friends.

My 2 goals in class: to share my love of the French culture and create the best environment for my students.

Yoga has been a part of my life for over 10 years initially as a way of dealing with my low back issues, only to realise it is so much more than just an exercise to strengthen the body.  The more I practiced yoga, the more I discovered the magic of it. The complete transformation began with my first teacher training course that improved my life on so many levels and helped me develop my full potential I didn’t even know existed! I feel privileged to teach yoga and help people grow stronger, more flexible and fearless, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live and enjoy each moment of my life without worrying about the past or the future.

I completed my first 100 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Wendy Elliott and her SALT POWER YOGA team from Pittsburgh in January 2018. This life-changing training equipped me with the right tools to create powerful yoga sequences and encouraged/inspired me to start teaching volunteer yoga classes at my kids’ school (Memorial Elementary School) providing free yoga classes 2/week for parents, teachers and later for kids in afterschool.  Soon after that, I started regularly teaching at the Trotter YMCA – my first family gym and the place where I took my very first yoga class!

In March 2019 I completed Teach. Lead. Inspire. 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Dan and Cristina Houston with Mind Tribes. This beautiful training helped me deepen my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, energetics and many other important aspects of yoga.

I am forever grateful to all my teachers who helped me discover my authenticity and positive transformation shaping my teaching in a unique and powerful way.

I continue broadening my knowledge by taking online classes/courses, reading and self-educating on various aspects of healthy and happy lifestyle and sharing my knowledge and experience while teaching at least 7 classes a week at various YMCA Greater Houston locations.

In my classes there are no levels, neither age nor flexibility limits – everyone is welcome from a curious beginner to an experienced yogi. Every yoga practice is unique and special to ensure each, and all will leave their yoga room feeling inspired, challenged and complete, feeling all parts of the body utilised, toned and massaged. I love to combine variety of creative and strong movements occasionally accompanied with beautiful music, words of encouragements and simple practical cues that empower students to step outside their comfort zone so they can have no other way but “let go” in Shavasana. I continuously seek to help people understand how they can dramatically improve their own health and find positivity, happiness and balance in their lives through yoga thus nurturing their minds, souls and bodies.

Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Sandrine.

I arrived in Houston in January 2025 and immediatley joined the Alliance Française de Houston to teach French language and culture. I followed my husband on expatriation.I have a master degree of school teaching for children in nursery (école maternelle) and elementary school.

I taught in France for over 18 years and was a school principal for the last 6 years.

I am delighted to teach my native language and I love the challenges students give me when they ask questions !I try to create a friendly and reassuring environment for my classes so that the students feel comfortable to speak and express themselves ! I like to cover all the aspects of language in my classes : speaking, writing, reading and listening.

When I am not at the Alliance Française de Houston, I love reading, going to museums, cycling, walking, going to the movies and spending time with my friends.

A bientôt ! (see you soon!)

Soumia Bendadache was born and raised in Oran, the second largest city in Algeria. She received her bachelor’s degree in didactics of French language and literature from Oran University. She also studied at the Sorbonne University – Paris 3. Before joining Alliance Française Philadelphia  , Soumia spent 12 years teaching in a high school setting in both Oran and she works in FIAF NY and NJ. 

She is happy to continue her passion of teaching French as a foreign language to all of Alliance's motivated students.

I grew up in Paris until I finished my master's degree in Education. I have been teaching in middle and high school for seven years with passion and kindness. Then, I travelled with my husband for work during 15 years in five different countries. We decided to find our new home in Houston. I have 2 kids, Vincent and Clara and I have been watching them growing in multicultural environment which is the best way to learn adaptation, open-mind and making more friends!

Teaching has always been my greatest motivation in life that allows me to explore new pedagogies, new expertise especially in motricity and psychology.

Dynamic, creative and caring, I am so happy to bring all the kids in a journey of discovery the French culture with a sense of wonder : dancing, singing, drawing story, motricity.

My name is Sylvia Donis.

I live in Houston since August 2023, coming from a big sunny city in the south of France : Marseille.

I trained in theater, mainly in the workshop at the Théâtre du Gymnase, then at Atelier 2000 in Marseille, with Pascale Nandillon and Sylvie Fedensieu.

I then performed for over 10 years in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence at the Athanor Théâtre, Théâtre du Petit Matin, Astronef and Théâtre Antoine Vitez.

At the same time, I took part in a number of productions with the Traümerei company, LR and Les Loges du Possible, in Marseille, Paris and in Vendée.

I have also run a workshop in secondary schools, as well as "theater, dance and video" workshops for adults in a variety of settings (associations and theaters) for five years, which were the starting point for performances which I have staged and performed in several venues in Marseille (the Italian Cultural Institute, Dar Lamifa, Designothèque, Théâtre de l'Œuvre...).

I currently teach theater at the Awty International School here in Houston.