Who Are We?
At The Garden Academy, we’re a vibrant family of highly trained, native English-speaking teachers, and we’re all about making learning an exciting and inclusive journey!
Our team is a delightful blend of professionals from various backgrounds and nationalities, each with a zest for innovation and a passion for education. We’ve traveled the globe and lived in diverse cultures, and now, we’re thrilled to bring our multicultural experiences right to your child’s classroom.
But there’s more to us than just educators; many of us are also parents who understand the importance of nurturing open-mindedness in our children. We’re dedicated to supporting your child in understanding the world, fostering their love for learning, and guiding them on their path to personal growth.
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 doors are open to children 2 to 10 years old.
Whether you want to expose your child to a new language or an English-speaking expat looking to expose your child to learning in your maternal language, we offer a variety of ways for your children to learn.
Our fully immersive English Pre-School is available for Littles from 2-3 years old.
Our bi-lingual Kindergarten (French/English) adheres to the curriculum of the French National Education system while adopting a gentle, Montessori-based approach.
For Children 3-10 years old, we offer fully immersive English programs for after school, Wednesdays, Saturday mornings, and school holidays.
With our team of native English-speaking teachers by their side, students embark on a delightful journey of experiential learning.
A Color Palette of Teaching Methods
At our school, we’re all about cultivating the boundless potential within each and every child with an abundance of creativity, communication, and autonomy!
Our dedicated teachers, like masterful artists, paint a vivid canvas of learning tailored to each child. We’re not just using one brushstroke; we’re blending a colorful palette of teaching methods.
We embrace the Montessori approach, where we tune into the unique rhythm, strengths, and challenges of every student, nurturing their individuality.
The Freinet method empowers our students to boldly experiment and learn through trial and error, fostering the freedom to express themselves.
With the Reggio approach, we spark the flames of inventiveness, encouraging your child to let their imagination run wild.
We dive into STEM workshops (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), igniting critical thinking and exploration, preparing your child for a future full of endless possibilities.
Diverse Activities
We offer an array of English activities throughout the year, both during and after school hours. Our lessons invite children to dive into the world of language through inclusive, cultural, and artistic experiences.
Your child can explore their creativity through Art, make sweet melodies in Music and Singing, discover the joys of Gardening, and sharpen their wits with an Introduction to Logic and Reasoning.
We’ve got all the bases covered, from Math and Science to the enchanting realms of Reading. Plus, for those who love a good challenge, we have Chess and Checkers to keep their minds buzzing with excitement!
Our Beliefs
We’re not just shaping young minds; we’re carefully curating an ecosystem where children thrive and flourish!
Our mission is to provide a one-of-a-kind learning adventure that not only enriches your child’s knowledge but nurtures their well-being. Our goal is to open a door to a world of possibilities, igniting their innate curiosity and nurturing their desire to explore.
Through the instruction of our English-speaking teacher at our schools in Paris 5eme, 7eme, and 15eme, being part of The Garden Academy not only exposes your child to the English language, but with an entire world of culture and possibilities.
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.
Rhea McWilliams
Director
Country of Origin: Australia
My name is Rhea and I am delighted to have joined The Garden as director. I am from Australia originally but have lived in France since 2007, and obtained my French citizenship 5 years ago. I have a degree in Primary Education, a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and am currently studying a Masters in Special Educational Needs.
I am a passionate advocate for play based learning, as all the research shows us that children are capable learners who are born to learn through play. Having studied in Reggio Emilia, the idea of the environment as the third teacher closely aligns with a play based learning approach, and I place a high importance on the proposed learning environment for children to foster a culture of exploration, collaboration and creativity.
Tiffany Carter
Deputy Director
Country of Origin: United States
Maximillian Funke
Commercial & Administration Assistant
Country of Origin: Australia
Call me Max! Growing up in Australia with a passion for Education, I’ve transitioned into management and love helping others grow and succeed! A fun fact about me, I love football (soccer for those from the US) and always look to combine my passion of watching football with traveling. I’m now a man of many hats at The Garden, using all my different skills and experience from my journey in life whether it’s taking care of the families, business development, recruitment or the occasional teaching.
