Armelle Querbouët was born in Paris, France, and moved to California in 2007. After studying at the University Paris X and Lettres Supérieures, Armelle began her career as a teacher in Paris before focusing on human resource management and communication, working first in France for the French government and then in the United States for private companies. Armelle later returned to translation and teaching, and since 2009, she has been teaching French to adults at all levels at the Alliance Française de Sacramento.

Claire Michelet grew up near Paris and graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. After teaching art history, drawing and painting in Paris, she moved to the United States in 1992 and becoming an American citizen in 2000. She has lived in New York, San Francisco and San Diego, and now resides in Sacramento, returning regularly to France to visit. Claire has taught French for years, and started teaching at the Alliance Française in 2005. She enjoys reading, drawing, photography, practicing Tai Chi and traveling.

Caroline Chamberlin was born in Lebanon and grew up in Nice, France. She studied sociology at the University of Letters in Nice and then obtained a diploma in management at the Institute of Carbuccia in Nice. Caroline moved to the United States in 2000 with her husband and her two sons. She started working at the Alliance Française de Sacramento in 2011. Caroline is also a full time French teacher at Valley High School in Sacramento. Caroline loves to entertain, dance, and enjoy outdoor activities (biking, hiking, and camping). She also likes to cook traditional French recipes to share with her friends.

Elise Noui was born in Nantes in a family of teachers and graduated from the University of Angers, majoring in International Relations. While living in Brazil, she worked as a guide-interpreter and taught French as a second language for adult beginners. She then moved back to Europe, working as a business developer in London and Paris. Then, she followed her passion for wellness, natural beauty and nutrition and moved to Sacramento, where her husband is originally from, and opened a French vegan bakery business. She decided to come back to her first love: teaching French to kids and adults at the Alliance Française of Sacramento. She loves reading, practicing cross-fit and she is a certified yoga teacher for kids. In her free time, she loves to cook and bake plant-based French recipes, practice yoga, and surf.

Born and raised in Paris, Raphaëlle graduated from Grenoble Business School and had several professional lives: communication manager, founder of a decoration and furniture shop, administrative manager of a healthcare professionals' association. In Paris, she discovered the pleasure of teaching, promoting French culture and sharing the history of Paris while teaching French at a migrant center as a volunteer. Raphaëlle moved to Sacramento in 2023 with her husband and her daughter. Fond of arts and literature, she also enjoys eating, traveling, skiing and sewing. 

Camilo Frias is a PhD candidate in French Literature at New York University, currently living in Davis while completing his dissertation on 19th-Century French translations of English poetry. Having grown up in a Chilean-American family, Camilo is also bilingual in Spanish and has a working knowledge of German and Italian. His research interests include Romantic and Symbolist poetry, translation studies and literary theory. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked as an English assistant in France at the Lycée hôtelier de Saint-Chamond, where he led classes in culture and conversation with students ages 14-19 studying to work in the restaurant industry. Later, he taught English and Spanish language courses as an academic assistant at the Université Jean Monnet. The father of two kids ages 3 and 6, he also has over 10 years of experience teaching French to children as a private tutor.

Lissa was born and raised in Paris, France and lived in Japan for a while. She moved to California in 2000, after finishing her Japanese language degree at l’Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales. She has been teaching French to children for over 10 years and recently moved to Sacramento from Southern California. 

Emeline Diolot-Bobalik was born and raised in Burgundy, France. After receiving a B.A. in
British and American Literatures and Cultures, she moved to the United Stated in 2011 and has
since lived in multiple states on both coasts and in the mid-west. Emeline worked has an
instructor while completing her M.A. in French Literature (Miami University) and her Ph.D in French and Francophone Studies (UC Davis).
Over the course of her 10+ years of experience, Emeline has enjoyed teaching and learning with her students, and she loves to share her culture with other Francophiles. When she’s not teaching, Emeline enjoys cooking, swimming, hiking, watching Japanese anime and recording her podcast with her husband.

Celina Vargas received her M.A. in French and Francophone Studies from UC Davis and currently works as a Lecturer of French at UC Davis. Born in Phoenix to two Spanish-speaking parents, Celina surprised everyone when in high school, she decided to take French classes in the International Baccalaureate Program. After her first year of undergrad, she became a French TA until the completion of her B.A. in Modern Languages (French emphasis). Throughout her learning and teaching experience, Celina has encountered incredible teachers and students alike and looks forward to continuing to foster Francophone community. When she’s not teaching, you’ll often find her in the kitchen cooking or baking while listening to True Crime podcasts. 

Denise was born in San José, she also spent significant time in Louisiana and Ohio, among other states and Puerto Rico.  Denise received her Bachelor's from San Jose State University in 2011 where she studied Spanish, Portuguese, French and Linguistics. After graduation, she moved to Europe and taught English in Spain and France. France became her home in 2013 and resided in Paris where she completed her Masters in Sociolinguistics at La Sorbonne University in 2017. In 2020, she moved to Sacramento and currently works in marketing and teaches languages part-time.  In her free time, she dances Salsa, West Coast Swing, and other ballroom dances. She's also into reading, stand-up comedy, makeup and fashion. Finally, she is a proud aunt and dog lover. 

Gaby obtained a bachelor's degree in Spanish and French at UC Davis in 2004.  She fell in love with the French language in high school when she enrolled in her first French class. She decided to major in this romantic language after visiting France in the summer of her sophomore year in college. Visiting this magical country and seeing the culture in action made her decide to enroll in the Education Abroad Program that UC Davis had in place. She spent her best college year at the "Université de Toulouse Le Mirail" in southern France.  Throughout her initial studies of this beautiful language she was always motivated by phenomenal teachers who like her, learned French as a 2nd or 3rd language.  She was so grateful and inspired by these wonderful role models that she pursued a Teaching Credential to teach high school students world languages.  Maria has worked in the public schools for over 10 years and has enjoyed seeing her students cultivating that interest and curiosity about other languages and cultures. 

A passionate reader and pianist with a love for Scottish and French philosophy. Holding a PhD in British Literature and Civilization, Nariman is eager to share her passion for the French language and French history, especially the French Revolution and colonialism in Algeria. With several years of experience in one-on-one teaching and academic translation for several academic journals, Nariman can help you learn French, whether for professional or personal reasons. Her teaching approach is personalized, dynamic, and tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Born and raised in the Sacramento area, Erica started learning French while in high school. She earned a Double Major in French and Global Studies while at Sonoma State University and studied abroad for a year in Paris as a junior. After graduating she continued her studies, earning a Masters in French at San Francisco State University, which also included six months of study abroad in Paris. Erica returned to Paris for a translation internship and then took a job in the tourism industry, which kept her in France for nearly another four years. Since moving back to Sacramento, she works primarily as a French and English instructor through her tutoring business. She loves travel, tennis and anything French!

Maria Editha is an experienced and passionate language teacher. She holds a master's degree in psychology and enjoys understanding the unconscious mind. Originally from Lebanon, Maria-Editha speaks French, English and Arabic. She moved to the U.S. in 2019 and served as a volunteer to the International Rescue Committee in San Diego helping refugees from around the world learn English. She holds a TESOL certificate and is currently working at a School district in Sacramento where she helps students with behavioral and learning difficulties succeed in their learning goals. Maria-Editha enjoys drinking coffee, exploring the great outdoors, and traveling with her husband. 

Born and raised in Baroda in India, Poonam began learning French as a hobby at the Alliance Française branch while working toward her degree in B.A. in English. She continued to study French and after receiving her M.A. in Communication, she worked as a Copywriter in an advertising agency. However, the love of French language and culture lured her to France in 2008 where she taught English in elementary schools in the quaint city of Albi near Toulouse. This enriching experience led her to transition into the role of an educator and she returned to the same Alliance Française as an instructor of the French language. After moving to the United States in 2011, Poonam immersed herself in French literature and pursued an M.A. in French at San Francisco State University. She also volunteered in an after-school French program at Éducation Française de Bay Area. Subsequently, she enrolled in the Ph. D program at UC Davis and in 2023 earned her doctorate in French and Francophone Studies. Her research focuses on the making and unmaking of the hysterical body in clinical and literary cultures in Fin-De-Siècle France. With over 10 years of experience as an instructor and lecturer in French at UC Davis, her passion for language, literature, film, and culture continues to emerge in her interaction with students of all ages and diverse backgrounds. She loves to watch and engage in discussions about horror films and true crime and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and playing with her daughter.