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!

Marine, born and raised in France, holds a Master’s degree in international business. With a passion for intercultural communication, she has lived, studied, and worked in various countries, including Spain and South Korea, enhancing her language skills in French, English, Spanish, and a bit of Korean. Marine believes that languages and cultural awareness pave the way to a more peaceful and understanding world.

During her time as a volunteer co-teacher at a Cambodian orphanage at the age of 19, Marine realized the vital role and privilege of education in a child’s life. This experience fueled her desire to contribute to this mission.

In 2019, Marine joined Tessa, proud to align herself with the school’s values and be part of their team. She wholeheartedly embraces the opportunity to support Tessa’s commitment to education and make a positive impact on children’s lives.

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 the Reception and Administration support 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 pursued and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Luma has a deep passion for reading and writing, and she aspires to publish her own novel in the future.

Originally from the South of France, Guillaume grew up in a family deeply rooted in service and care for others. This upbringing naturally led him to pursue a career in education, where he has consistently focused on creating meaningful, enriching experiences for students and families.

Guillaume brings solid experience in international school settings, having served as Director of Auxiliary Programming at a French International School in Philadelphia, where he oversaw after-school activities, childcare, enrichment programs, and community events. Before that, he held a leadership role in a renowned international school in Paris (Ecole Jeannine Manuel), managing large teams and supporting the broader school mission.

Passionate about education, especially in multicultural and bilingual environments, Guillaume firmly believes that international education is key to building a more peaceful and understanding future. He sees diversity as a strength and is committed to creating inclusive spaces where every child can thrive.

Outside of work, Guillaume enjoys traveling, music, and exploring new cultures. He brings creativity, warmth, and a global mindset to everything he does.