Our Team – Leadership & Administration

Léa is originally from a small village in the Loire Valley in France located between farms and vineyards. Inspired by her mother’s passion for teaching, Léa developed a deep appreciation for the role schools play in shaping children’s lives. 

She holds a Master’s degree in International Management and has traveled in different countries, which has deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures. Léa moved to the US in 2018 and began her career in school leadership at Tessa as an Auxiliary Director, a role she held for three successful years, supporting a strong growth of the programs and school operations. 

For the past three years, she has served as Director of Admissions, where she contributes to the school’s growth and finds joy in welcoming families and fostering connections within a diverse, international community. 

She is proud to be part of Tessa, where students are encouraged to grow, gain confidence, and develop the open-mindedness needed to navigate in our world.

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.

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.

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.

Linda was born and raised in Brittany, France. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing, both earned in the South of France.

Her career began in Manhattan in 2019, where she served as a School Director at a bilingual private school for five years. During this time, she also obtained a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from UCLA. In 2023, Linda moved to New Jersey and continued her work in educational leadership as a School Director at The Goddard School, where she greatly enjoyed serving a new community.

In addition to her work in education, Linda has built a strong foundation in Human Resources. She previously worked in HR for a finance company and gained early management experience in the food industry, where she began leading teams when she was 22 years old.

Alongside her professional journey, Linda is also the proud mother of two toddlers, a role that continually deepens her understanding of early childhood development.

Linda views education as a spark that builds confidence, nurtures curiosity, and opens young minds to limitless possibilities. She is proud to support Tessa’s mission of inspiring future leaders through exceptional bilingual education.

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.

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.

Ashley was born and raised in the small town of Success, Guyana. With a natural appreciation for creativity and working with children, she has enjoyed taking on a variety of roles at Tessa, including supporting our students as a substitute teacher, working at the front desk during aftercare, and joining our Summer Camp team as an Art Teacher.

Through these experiences, Ashley has developed a strong understanding of our school community and enjoys building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. She brings a warm, welcoming presence to the front desk and is excited to continue supporting our families in her new role as Receptionist.

Ashley has always had a passion for creativity. She initially pursued a degree in Culinary Arts, inspired by her love of art, creativity, and her mother’s cooking. Although her career path took her in a different direction, she still enjoys baking and expressing her creativity through food.

Outside of school, Ashley enjoys continuing her own learning journey by studying Mandarin and Spanish, exploring new cultures, and expanding her understanding of the world.