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.

Marc Birnkammer is a passionate linguist. He holds a master’s degree in foreign languages and has over 15 years of French teaching experience. Besides French, he is also fluent in German, English, and studies Brazilian Portuguese for fun. Marc taught at the Alliance from 2013-15, and now returns after a year in the Bay Area. His students usually appreciate his down-to-earth approach and although he insists on the importance of grammar, he likes to digress from its rigid framework to take the time to provide his students with a more holistic understanding of French culture.

Megan McMullan received her PhD in French literature from UC Davis in 2014. As part of her dissertation-writing process, she spent a year in Paris researching 17th-century manufactured controversies and the role they played in early journalism. Prior to that, she spent time in France and Belgium studying abroad and working as an au pair. She has taught French for many years at the college and high school levels. Past experience includes upper and lower-division courses taught at UC Davis and the University of Nevada Reno. Currently she teaches at St. Francis Catholic High School. Outside of French, she also has volunteered and taught ESL with Sacramento’s refugee community, among others. Her primary interests are literature, theater, and human rights.

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.

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. 

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 Degelos was born in San José. She spent significant time in Louisiana, Ohio, and Puerto Rico. 
Denise received her Bachelors 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 she 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. She is a proud aunt and dog lover.

Born and raised in the south of France, Florent discovered the joy of teaching French in Japan where he spent a year, in 2008~2009, after getting his degree in applied languages. From there, Florent taught in a French high school and tutored students, fixed computers, and developed a POS solution before moving to California in 2016. Finally getting back to teaching after a few years, Florent is eager to meet new students.

Alena Furman was born in eastern Russia, where she first started learning French in elementary school. She graduated from the Pedagogical University with an MA degree in French and English. She pursued a career in teaching French, and has worked with students of all ages. She later obtained her PhD in education from the Moscow State Linguistic University and worked as a faculty member where she was originally a student. Alena had several internships in France at CAVILAM, Vichy (Centre d’Approches Vivantes des Langues et des Médias) and CIEP,  Sèvres (Centre International des Études Pédagogique) where she mastered French linguistics and didactics. She moved to California in 2009 with her family and has worked as a business analyst at various software companies. In her spare time Alena enjoys practicing yoga, pranayama, and meditation. She loves travelling, hiking, and sailing with her husband and two sons. 

Kathryn Ferroggiaro was born in San Francisco and grew up in Humboldt County, California. She discovered her love for French in high school. Attending Santa Clara University, Kathryn majored in both French and English and studied in Paris her junior year. She did her credential work at UC Davis and then taught all levels of high school French for 35 years. Kathryn recently retired and is excited to be a part of the Alliance Française. She enjoys travelling, hiking, cooking, needlepoint, riding her horse and, of course, speaking French!

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 France, Fabienne moved with her family to Ireland where she completed her secondary education. At 20 she moved to California, and soon after started a family. Fabienne continued her education in her thirties and earned a BA in French with a minor in English and Spanish. She has over twenty years of experience teaching French to adults and to High School students. She retired from High School teaching in June 2018 and misses the interaction with students. 
In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, loves nature, animals, walking, reading, and doing yoga. 

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.

Sophie was born and raised in Los Angeles where she attended the Lycée International de Los Angeles, a French immersion school that follows the same curriculum as in France. Sophie earned her B.S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Environmental Policy & Management, throughout which she found francophone communities. During her masters studies at U.C. Davis, Sophie taught French to undergraduate students and discovered a passion for teaching elementary French. She loves watching students grow confident in their speaking abilities and introducing them to different aspects of French culture. She is excited to continue teaching French with the Alliance Française and working with students towards their learning goals. In her free time, Sophie enjoys making pottery at her home studio, teaching her dog tricks, backpacking, traveling, and fitness.