Our Team – Leadership & Administration

Léa was born and raised in France, in a little town of Loire Valley, located between farms and vineyards. She has a Masters degree in humanitarian and social work with a focus in communication from Ircom, in Angers.

Lea has always wanted to serve different communities since a very young age. She was involved many years with the Girl Scouts. She spent months volunteering at an orphanage in India, and she is the co-founder of non-profit organization in France which helps people by organizing social and cultural events. Since she arrived in the States a few years ago, she has volunteered in several non-profit organizations, including America Scores, which provides afterschool programs in soccer, poetry and service learning. From these experiences and thanks to her mother who has been a dedicated teacher for 35 years, she learnt that education is the key to development in all communities.

She has been Head of Auxiliary Programs at Tessa for 3 years, running a wonderful Summer Camp every summer.

She believes that school instills confidence, knowledge and an open mind to our future generation to be tomorrow’s leaders. She is proud to be part of Tessa, which represents an education of excellence through bilingualism!

Sarah, a North Carolina native, has lived an international life for nearly a decade. Growing up in Asheville, she nurtured a love for exploration, hiking, and the region’s diverse food culture. She pursued her academic passion at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, earning both a BA and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching English as a Second Language.

Her academic journey led her to a transformative teaching experience in Kuwait, marking the onset of her dedication to international education. Following this, she expanded her teaching horizons in Hangzhou, China. In the realm of IB PYP, Sarah deeply recognized the boundless potential of immersive experiential learning and inquiry-based education. She has played pivotal roles in her teams and departments, fostering environments that pique students’ curiosity and encourage a love for lifelong learning.

As she joins Tessa International School, Sarah is excited to infuse her global experiences into the school’s unique curriculum framework. Beyond her professional pursuits, she has visited over 40 countries, reflecting her unwavering zest for exploration. She is an enthusiast of cycling, whether it’s the serenity of nature or the energy of a spinning class. Sarah is eager to immerse herself in the Hoboken community, building connections and enriching her new local environment.

Summer was born and raised in New Jersey. She has a Bachelor of Arts, degree in Public Relations and Business from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY on the Hudson River. She was a four year Division 1 Women’s Rowing team member.

Summer has placed roots here in Hoboken with her husband and two children. She has been a part of the Hoboken community for 15 years. Summer has spent the last seven years as the General Manager for a local business, overseeing events and outreach. She is excited to use her local connections and passion for building relationships to add to the continued success of Tessa.

In her free time Summer loves running along the Riverfront, spending time with her family and playing catch with her dog!

Born and raised in France, Marine holds a License degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in International Management. Passionate about intercultural communication, she has lived, studied, and worked in several countries, including Spain and South Korea, and speaks French, English and Spanish. She believes that language learning and cultural awareness are key to building a more peaceful and understanding world.

During her early college years, Marine volunteered as a co-teacher at an orphanage in Cambodia, an experience that deepened her appreciation for the power of education and inspired her to dedicate her career to this mission. After working in marketing and communications for a small business in France, she moved to the New York City area to join Tessa International School in 2019.

Since then, Marine has been part of Tessa’s journey of growth and development, proud to contribute to its mission of nurturing curious, compassionate, and bilingual learners. She also enjoys exploring creative outlets such as photography and videography, which often complement her professional projects.

Elodie was born and raised in Belgium. She has two bachelor degrees-one in advertising and one in office management. She moved to the United States for the second time in September 2021 with her husband and two boys. She had spent the previous 3 years living in Milan, Italy, learning the Italian language and culture.

Elodie is the longest Tessa employee! She worked for the School during her first stay in the US and was instrumental in its opening. At the time, she had helped set up various functions ranging from administration and human resources to accounting. She is currently in charge of Tessa’s bookkeeping, accounts receivable and payable, and compensation and benefits.

Her kids have been exposed to 3 languages since they were born- French, Dutch and English. They learned Italian when they lived in Italy. They learn so quickly at this age and they understand which language to use when communicating!

Valeria is a first-generation daughter of Peruvian immigrants who developed fluency in both English and Spanish thanks to her multicultural upbringing. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, in close proximity to Washington D.C., Valeria’s fascination with political current events and cross-cultural communication began from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh, accompanied by minors in both French and Korean. Driven by a passion for community betterment, she embarked on a teaching career following graduation, obtaining her K-6 teaching certification through the Teach for America program while working at a public school in Newark, New Jersey. In her prior role, Valeria honed organizational, multitasking, and communication skills while nurturing a continued commitment to education and language development in her ESL students. Valeria is highly regarded for her work ethic, proactive mindset, and collaborative spirit by her colleagues. With her diverse skill set and experiences, she brings exceptional expertise to her role, and she eagerly anticipates contributing to the team’s success.

Luma was born and raised in Brazil and is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. She moved to New Jersey 10 years ago, beginning her journey as an Au Pair and later working as a nanny. In Brazil, Luma earned a Trilingual Executive Secretariat diploma, and after relocating to the United States, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in project management. Luma has a deep passion for reading and writing, and she aspires to publish her own novel in the future.

Kristina is a passionate educator who finds joy in lifelong learning and nurturing curiosity. Originally from Chicago and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Kristina’s journey has taken her across various educational landscapes. She holds an MA in Private School Leadership from Teachers College and an MBA from Columbia Business School, complementing her BA in Middle Grades Education from the University of Georgia. With over a decade of experience, she has taught and led in public, charter, and international schools.  

Kristina’s career began with an immersive international experience, completing her student teaching at a bilingual school in Berlin, Germany. She then taught as a primary public-school educator in Georgia before moving to Florida, where she enriched the educational experience at a public charter school through creativity, leadership, and the arts. Her career continued with four impactful years at an International School in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she learned Spanish, led curriculum design teams, mentored new teachers, and coached basketball. While pursuing her graduate studies at Columbia University, Kristina served as a preschool graduate assistant, expanding her expertise across early childhood classrooms.

Kristina is eager to collaborate with colleagues at Tessa International School and build meaningful relationships with families. She currently resides in New York City, where she enjoys spending time with her two sisters and two nephews who also live in Manhattan. Kristina enjoys living an active lifestyle, cooking new recipes, appreciating nature, and spending her time outdoors.

Linda was born and raised in Brittany, France. She has a Master's degree in Human Resources and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing, both obtained in the South of France.

Linda began her career as a School Director at a Bilingual Private School in Manhattan and served families for 5 years. She obtained her Certificate in Early Childhood Education from UCLA and moved to New Jersey in 2023. She then served a new community as a School Director for The Goddard School and enjoyed her time there. 

Linda sees education as the spark that builds confidence, nurtures knowledge, and opens young minds to endless possibilities. She is proud to contribute to Tessa’s mission of inspiring future leaders through exceptional bilingual education.

Maleni has been part of the Tessa community for over three years, working as a Summer Camp and Aftercare teacher. Raised in a Mexican household, she is a native Spanish speaker who brings her cultural pride, warmth, and dedication to every role she takes on.

She has extensive hands-on experience working with children across different age groups, including her previous position at Hudson Learning Center Kids Academy, where she managed aftercare programs, assisted with HR operations, and mentored colleagues. Currently, she continues her passion for supporting students as an Aftercare Assistant at Tessa, creating a safe and engaging environment for all.

In addition to her work in education, Maleni is deeply interested in business and investing. She has completed professional courses in trading and continues to expand her knowledge in finance. She holds certifications in Health, Safety, and Child Growth and Development from Rutgers University and has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Most Outstanding Student Award and the Women for WNY/Muir Community Service Award.

Outside of work, Maleni expresses her creativity through music. She enjoys creating beats and writing lyrics, using music as a way to connect and inspire others through storytelling and sound.

Megan was born and raised in Colorado. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Entrepreneurial Professions from Colorado State University. After college, she spent several years working in before- and after-school programs. In 2020, she began working as an assistant preschool teacher at a language immersion school in Colorado, where she discovered her passion for working with young children. Over four years, she grew into the roles of lead preschool teacher and preschool director.

A year ago, Megan moved to New Jersey with her husband and their dog, and they have enjoyed exploring both New Jersey and New York. In her free time, she enjoys painting, practicing yoga, and reading.