We operate as a not-for-profit corporation.  We are overseen by a Board of Directors.  We are supported by our Parent Association.  Our staff members embrace the value of language immersion and the benefit of early childhood education.

Janet Russell

Director

Bonjour!  I am Janet Russell, the director of La Petite Ecole.  I am also the mother of a son, Trent, who is an engineer at the Union Electric Nuclear Power Plant and a voluntary fireman.  I also have a border collie named Reeki, who literally keeps me on the run.  I have spent over thirty years in education and love watching children grow and learn. I am truly happy to be a part of the LPE French immersion program, and believe in its multiple benefits with all my heart.

Joëlle Quoirin

Founder & Assistant Director

Bonjour!  I'm Joëlle Quoirin, the founder of La Petite Ecole.  I am also the mother of 2 children, Camille and Zachary.  I was born and grew up near Mons, Belgium and came to the U.S. at age 18.  I have lived in Columbia since 1994, when I came to graduate school at Mizzou.  Teaching young children in French is the passion of my life.  It is amazing to see how much children can learn and do.

Bec Rennick

Head Teacher - Toddler Class

Bonjour!  My name is Bec Rennick and I am the head teacher in the Toddler classroom.  I am from Nuremberg, Germany and studied to become a Foreign Language Correspondent in English and French.  I love travelling and working with young children.  I have been a nanny for the past nine years and love toddlers.  I'm excited to work at La Petite Ecole and getting to know the children and their families.

Kate Gaudouen

 Head Teacher - Preschool & Kindergarten Class

Hi, I’m Kate Gaudouen. I am pleased to be the Senior Head TEacher at La Petite Ecole.  I have degrees in French and magazine journalism from MU and am working towards obtaining my teaching certificate at William Woods.  I have lived in France for more than a year including a semester studying at Sciences Po in Paris.  I'm very excited to get to know your children and instill in them a love of learning, school, and French. 

Barb Shaw

Head Teacher - Pre-K Class

Bonjour! My name is Barb Shaw.  I am the head teacher of the Pre-Kindergarten class.  Ia min love with France and the French language and am excited to share my passion for teaching and for all things French with your children.  In addition, I have enjoyed interpreting for visiting French chefs at the Iowa Culinary Institute for the past eleven years.  This involves my third passion, which is cooking!  I was a stay-at-home mom for my two wonderful now-grown children and, I admit, I miss the years when they were small.

Virginie Balas

Assistant - Toddler Class

Bonjour!  My name is Virginie Balas and I am the assistant in the toddler classroom.  I come from Lyon, France and have worked as a nanny for French children.  I enjoy working at La Petite Ecole and watching the children develop in all areas.  I think that it is a wonderful opportunity for young children to learn another language at such an early age.

Amity Interns

Each year, La Petite Ecole invites young people from French-speaking countries to come and teach at our school. They are hosted by American families. In exchange for room and board, they take part in this cultural exchange.

The Amity Interns for the 2011-2012 academic year are:

Alice Goret

Bonjour!  My name is Alice Goret and I have come to Columbia to teach in the Amity intern program at La Petite Ecole.  I am 22 years old.  Although I grew up in Brittany, I live in Central France (Bourges).  My little sister studies in Brussels.  I spent last year in Middlesbrough, England where I worked as an assistant in a school for troubled youth.  I am in my second year of a Master's program to become a teacher of French as a second language.  I am happy to be experiencing a new way of life and teaching methodology and am excited to get to know the kids.

Lynda Abbé

Bonjour!  I am Lynda Abbé.  I am an intern from Amity at La Petite Ecole this year.  I am 23 years old and come from the Paris suburbs.  I have a younger sister and a younger brother at home.  I have just earned a bachelor's degree in English and I am planning to get a Master's in Education when I return to France.  I am happy to be in Columbia and I cannot wait to share my language and culture with the children and families of La Petite Ecole.