Who Are We?
The Garden Academy is a highly trained team of native English speaking teachers who have a positive, innovative and inclusive approach to learning. We are professionals of multiple nationalities who have traveled and lived in several countries. Our staff is eager to share their multicultural experiences.
We are also parents who want to support our children to have an open understanding of the world, their learning, and their personal development.
Thomas Vivien,
founder
Like many of you, when I became a parent I had the desire and ambition to show my sons the immensity of the world so they could see all aspects of life. I wanted them to travel, experience, and explore what was outside their home. Not looking for a nomadic lifestyle, in 2016 I created The Garden Academy,
During childhood, we have the world in the palm of our hands. As we grow, we extend this learning through school and leisure activities. We can enrich ourselves through books that stimulate our imagination, but this excludes hands-on and real life experiences.
The Garden Academy immerses your children in a 100% English speaking environment. It opens their minds, piques curiosity, and stimulates their creativity to allow them to naturally learn English. This is an essential tool for erasing all borders.
An Immersive Environment
The Garden Academy welcomes children from 2 to 5 years old to our preschool and kindergarten. We also welcome children up to 10 years old to our extracurricular activities within our three Parisien locations. Thanks to our team of native English speaking teachers, students learn from an early age effortlessly through an immersive environment. This is called experiential learning.
An Active Teaching Method
We use pedagogies focused on communication, creativity, and autonomy in order to develop the full potential of each child. On a daily basis, our teachers apply several methods that are relevant for each child. This includes Montessori, which takes into account the rhythm, strengths, and challenges of each student. They are also using the Freinet method which advocates experimental trial and error as well as free expression. Teachers also apply the Reggio approach to encourage inventiveness. Our team also uses STEM workshops (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) which aim to strengthen critical thinking and exploration practices.
Our Multiple Diverse Activities
We offer a variety of activities in English exclusively throughout the year, during and outside school hours. Our lessons, proposed in the form of workshops, allow children to become familiar with and improve their English thanks to inclusive, cultural, and artistic approach: Art, Music and singing, Gardening, Introduction to logic and reasoning, Math, Science, Reading, Chess and checkers, Etc.
Our Beliefs
We strive to make our establishments real schools of life allowing children to increase their know-how while promoting their well-being. We offer a unique learning experience in English by opening their minds to the world and encouraging their desire to discover in order to best support them in their development. Positively impacting the life of each student both educationally and personally is our greatest challenge.
Our qualified native English speaking teachers work in our three establishments in Paris (15th, 7th, and 5th arrondissements). By connecting with them, children learn a languag and a whole new culture!
Thomas
Founder
Country of Origin: France
Background: A graduate in Art History and an MBA from the Sorbonne, Thomas held the position of Director of the French subsidiary of Taschen editions for all French speaking countries for nearly ten years.
Hobbies : Architecture, photography, cinema, and art in general.
Isabelle
Directrice
Son pays d’origine : France
Son bagage : Isabelle a 30 ans d’expérience dans l’enseignement en maternelle et en école élémentaire en tant que directrice, mais aussi de coordinatrice de projets Erasmus.
Ses centres d’intérêt : Les voyages, le cinéma, le théâtre et l’opéra.
Amy
Preschool Manager and Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Country/City of Origin: San Francisco, United States
Background: After obtaining her degree in education and social sciences, Amy worked for more than eight years in several international schools in Hong Kong before coming to Paris. She has been teaching in Paris for two years now.
Hobbies: Reading, cinema, and Disneyland.
Annette
Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Country of Origin: From Irish and Ghanaian parents, Annette has lived in France and England.
Background: After obtaining her first degree in anthropology and a second in sociology and politics, Annette completed a Montessori teaching course and a CAP in early childhood.
Hobbies: Cycling (traveling by bike) and rock climbing.
Karla
Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Country of Origin: Ireland
Background: An early childhood educator for more than 9 years, Karla previously pursued studies in international tourism.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, canoeing, F1 and traveling.
Camille
Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Country of Origin: New York City, United States
Background: Since obtaining her CAP Petite Enfance in France, Camille has worked as a preschool and kindergarten teacher at The Garden Academy.
Hobbies: Diving, snorkeling, art, and music in particular.
Vic
Music Teacher
Country of Origin: South Africa
Background: Victaught music for six years at The International School of Johannesburg before spending several years in different countries as a music teacher. Vic has lived and worked in Mauritius, Beirut, Qatar, Romania, Russia, and Morocco. His travels have allowed him to meet different people and experience different cultures which have enriched his teaching experience.
Hobbies: Vic enjoys playing an Argentinian Tango on the piano. His favorite composer is Piazzolla.
Manuela
Animator for After School Program
Country of Origin: Brazil
Background: Trained at the Philippe Gaulier school, Manuela has produced several shows (The Lion King, Sister Act and Rock of Ages, among others). She has also worked as a theater host for Women for Refugee Women in London. Manuela has been part of the cast of several shows in Brazil, France, and Scotland.
Hobbies: Theater and Art in General
Ruth
Animator for After School Program
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Background: As part of her studies, Ruth completed a one-year internship in Lyon as a language assistant for the British Council. She has also worked as an English speaking nanny and English tutor.
Hobbies: Gym, yoga, museums, and art galleries.
Andrés
Animator for After School Program
Country of Origin: Born in Columbia, Andrés grew up in New Jersey, United States..
Background: In the United States, Andrés studied at the language university before obtaining a Masters Degree in languages at the Sorbonne. A qualified French teacher in the United States, Andrés began teaching more than seven years ago. In 2017, he taught English in a bilingual Montessori school. In France, he has worked in various establishments from primary to secondary school. Most recently he was the coordinator and head English teacher in a bilingual school program. He is currently preparing for his doctorate in linguistics (phonetics and phonology).
Hobbies : Reading, yoga, visual arts, traveling, cooking, dancing, etc!
