Teachers

In Derek's own words.... Roaming Schoolhouse is #BestJobEver. Originally, I got involved to save this invaluable service from closure, initially for his own children but now after 11 years of involvement, I have lost count of the number of children that have spoken English, had fun and made friends through our classes and camps. 700? 1,000? With CELTA and Jolly Phonics training as my qualifications, there's nothing I like to see more than the look of dawning realisation on a child's face.

With the move of RSH becoming an association in 2022, Derek stepped back from his day-to-day duties of running RSH, and became president of the association. People with questions on RSH classes, camps or administrative details, should contact Gillian, Jennie, or Pardiese, on team@roamingschoolhouse.com

Gillian joined us in 2013 from Germany and was appointed Head Teacher in March 2014. She has taught at all levels in the UK, as well as having trained with OFSTED and advising on literacy and languages in Ealing. She hails from Chalfont St Peter in Bucks. In 2020, with her move to Germany and semi-retirement, she became Head of Online Content and Camp Director for RSH.

With the move of RSH becoming an association, Gillian also took on management responsibilities for the association, in her capacity as Camps and Online Content manager.

Jennie joined Roaming Schoolhouse in 2011, becoming Head Teacher in September 2020. She has two Master’s degrees in Education, with specialisms in applied linguistics and children and young people’s worlds. She also teaches IELTS preparation to young adults and is a qualified CELTA teacher. Originally from England, Jennie lived in Austria for five years before moving to France. Her bilingual daughter has just graduated from university in England. When not teaching, Jennie enjoys baking, knitting or sewing at home, and swimming with her diving club.

With the move of RSH becoming an association, Jennie also took on management responsibilities for the association, as the Pedagogical Manager.

Pardiese joined us in late 2019, to help with the administrative side of RSH. With a Bachelor’s in International Relations/ Economics and an MBA, she started her work life as an English teacher in Japan to kids ages 4 - 17, has worked with both small and large businesses, before coming to RSH. Pardiese also teaches English to engineering students, and has occasionally filled in for RSH classes and camps. As the mother of 2 bilingual children, she certainly knows what RSH parents are going through in the choices they face for their children’s education. Originally from the US, Pardiese has also lived in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Japan, before coming to France 21 years go. When not working for RSH or teaching, Pardiese is very involved in singing classical music, singing with both the Paris Choral Society and the American Cathedral choir.

With the move to RSH becoming an association, Pardiese took on the role of Administrative Manager within the management team.

Alison joined us in 2020 after teaching in Italy for over 30 years. She is a qualitifed Cambridge examiner and is teaching some of our CE, CM and collège classes this year. She loves the challenge that each new school year brings and she is never happier than when she is in the classroom. She comes from Devon, a county still close to her heart. Italy is a great country in which to explore her passion for history but Paris is providing fresh insights and is a wonderful city for another hobby – walking. She has two grown up, bilingual children.

Jodie is a PGCE qualified primary school teacher from Birmingham, England. She joined the RSH team in 2021 after moving to Paris to teach. In addition to teaching classes, Jodie is our Exam Prep Coordinator and Communications Coordinator in charge of running our social pages. She has a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and Criminology, which led her on a trip around South Asia, teaching children English. In her free time she likes to paint, travel, swim and bake.

Having spent the last year offering private lessons with Bloom into English, in addition to teaching as an English language assistant at Lycée Jean de la Fontaine, Liz is joining our team in January 2023 as our newest arrival! She obtained her BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Louisville and her MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Aga Khan University in London. She also completed two semesters of intensive French studies at the Institut Catholique de Paris. Originally from the United States, Liz is also fluent in Spanish and French, in addition to possessing strong Arabic skills. Her experience studying different languages inspired her decision to pursue teaching opportunities and she first volunteered teaching English as a second language to migrant workers in Louisville, Kentucky. Out of the classroom, Liz enjoys exploring Paris' many museums, restaurants, and parks!

Jill is a writer, teacher, and environmental activist from Massachusetts, USA, now living in Paris. She has a B.A. in English and is a passionate writer of short stories, poems, songs, and novels. She is currently querying her first YA fantasy novel, and her day jobs include teaching English and freelance writing for the Paris-based magazines INSPIRELLE and Bonjour Paris. After studying in Paris for four months in 2022 and having returned in summer 2023, she has found no end to the inspiring nature of the capital and the charm of French culture.

Oliver first joined RSH in 2023, working at the camps and now is with us as a teacher!

Born and raised in South Carolina, he graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South, with a BA in French. After moving to France in 2021 to work as an English language assistant with TAPIF, he continued working with children as an English tutor and became involved in concert promotion and organization with TIME (The International Music Exchange).

In his spare time, Oliver enjoys playing football and tennis and discovering new music. Having been a choirboy in his youth, he remains dedicated to singing at the American Cathedral in Paris.

A credentialed K-12 teacher from California, Alem brings a unique blend of educational expertise and global perspective to her work, holding two master's degrees—one in Education and another in International Management. With almost two decades of experience in the classroom, she's cultivated a passion for fostering inclusive, dynamic learning environments that encourage student growth and curiosity. For the past four years, she's been living in Paris, where she's embraced the rich cultural tapestry of the city while continuing to evolve professionally.
In her spare time, she enjoys the thrill of skateboarding, the challenge of learning to play the guitar, and the tranquility of gardening, which all keep her balanced and creatively inspired.

Carl is a new addition to our team, having spent two years working as an English teacher in Brussels and a year teaching at a school in Puteaux. He’s a Swiss-British national who has lived in Europe, the US, and South America. He started his career as a photographer, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Imaging, Arts, and Sciences (US) and a Master of Fine Arts (UK). Carl has worked with children of all ages and backgrounds and loves sharing the Anglo-Saxon culture he grew up with through books and songs. His diverse experiences in international education have equipped him with a unique perspective, allowing him to connect with students from various cultures while fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. As the father of a young bilingual child, Carl understands the challenges of passing on a minority language when school is taught in French. He is also a keen sportsperson, passionate about photography, and takes full advantage of what Paris has to offer in terms of culture and food.

Ariel recently joined the Roaming House team, bringing a vibrant mix of creativity, energy, and warmth. Originally from New York, she moved to Paris after completing her Bachelor of Science degree. With over 20 years of experience working with children, Ariel has been a positive and nurturing influence in their lives, embodying a "big kid at heart" spirit. Her career as an ESL teacher spans both public and private schools, where she has excelled in helping students learn English in engaging and effective ways. Ariel’s love for teaching, combined with her upbeat personality, makes her a wonderful asset to the team.

Lindsey will be teaching our Mat/CP class this year in Annecy. Lindsey has recently moved from the United States and is working in France as an English teacher and au pair. She recently earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and Apparel Merchandising from Auburn University in Alabama. She has experience student-teaching and coaching young children in basketball and softball. During her summers in between school, Lindsey worked as a camp counselor and at a daycare center. In her free time, Lindsey likes to read, run and listen to music.