Isabelle has both extensive experience in multilingual education and an extensive international business background.

She started Be Lingual, a premier language program for schools and language immersion summer camp, in 2007 and has acquired broad expertise in the education industry thanks to this eight year venture.

Before switching to education, Isabelle worked internationally for 8 years for a leading hospitality group and for an international finance consulting firm. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Booth School of Business (University of Chicago). For her undergraduate degrees, she studied at ESCP Europe in France, the UK, and Germany, and holds business degrees from the three countries.

Born and raised in France, Isabelle settled in the Tri-State area in 2001. In her daily life, she is immersed in an international environment as her husband is Greek Cypriot. Her teenage son speaks three different languages, goes to a top bilingual school in the City, and is fully comfortable with different cultures. “I believe that language education can provide children with improved communication abilities, and help build self-confidence and adaptability – assets that serve children as well as adults, both in their professional careers and in their private lives.”

Daniel has a Bachelor’s in Performing Arts and two Masters in Primary Education and Education Administration and Leadership. He worked as a primary school teacher for nine years and as deputy head of school in charge of the early years (Nursery – Grade 5) for four years. He has worked in schools in the US as well as Norway, Morocco, Brazil, and many more. Daniel has significant expertise in the International Baccalaureate.

Project-Based Learning, The Primary Years Program (PYP) and Destination Imagination are three of Daniel’s passions as an educator. He loves inspiring young minds to inquire, solve problems, and express themselves about their solutions. Daniel also has a passion for incorporating the Arts, as well as technology, in the classroom. Daniel’s family is bilingual (French and English) and he adores adding foreign words to his own vocabulary, particularly Portuguese, German, and French.

Michelle was raised in London, England, by Greek Cypriot parents (Greek was her first language), and she moved to US with her husband eight years ago. Since then, she has thoroughly enjoyed the wonder of New York City and beyond, and has also started a family of her own, becoming a mother to two boys, now aged 5 and 2.5.

Michelle started teaching ten years ago upon immediate completion of her Post-Graduate-Certificate-in-Education, following her degree, and feels passionate about teaching and learning.

Michelle’s teaching philosophy has always been to inspire children to learn by bringing energy, fun and creativity to the classroom, along with an inquiry-based approach – this way, children learn ‘for themselves’ and understand concepts with deeper meaning and knowledge. She prides herself on working hard, being a mentor for children academically, socially, and emotionally, and empowering every child to reach their full potential.

Michelle believes strongly in internationalism, an open mind and the acquisition of another language, and therefore feels strongly about Tessa’s mission and is excited to join the team.

Sidney is Tessa’s Head of Administration and Communication.

Sidney has a BA from Saint Peter’s University, where she was on the Dean’s list throughout her entire time. She then worked for one school and one preschool in administrative, communication, and management roles for four years in total.

Sidney has a rare mix of administrative, organizational, management and creative skills and was highly appreciated in the schools she worked in. Her passion is graphic design and photography.

While Sidney’s mother tongue is English, her parents are from Puerto Rico and she speaks Spanish fluently.