Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Anne-Laure Petit
Head of School / Finance
Originally from a small town in France, Anne-Laure moved to San Diego at age 13. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's in Media Studies, later becoming a teacher's assistant. Anne-Laure went on to teach ESL at an alternative high school in France, an experience that propelled her to earn a Master's in Education and a California Teaching Credential. Observing the foundational impact of early education on academic success, she co-founded Au Clair de Lune, a preschool aimed at fostering a positive early educational experience.
Claire Hémery
Preschool Director / Admissions
Claire, born and raised in Angers, France, inherited a passion for teaching from her parents, both professors. With a Bachelor's in Psychology, she began her career as a special education teacher, crafting tailored methods for students with diverse needs. Pursuing her dedication, she earned a Master's in Education, enhancing her skills and commitment to educational excellence.
Jessica Bedin
Curriculum Developer
Jessica, from Vierzon, began with a Nurse Assistant diploma, then earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology . Transitioning to education, she obtained a Teacher's credential, teaching various ages. She developed a personalized pedagogy emphasizing autonomy, perseverance, and emotional management. With a passion for multilingualism ingrained by her upbringing, she constantly seeks diverse pedagogical approaches to encourage children to surpass their limits.
Assia Mesbah
Lead Teacher
Assia, born in Algeria, is a dedicated teacher with 12 years of experience in early childhood education. She earned her state diploma in 2007 in Algiers and in 2008 in Montrouge. From 2009 to 2015, she taught children aged 3 to 5 in a French school in Algiers. In 2019, she moved to the U.S. and worked at another French school before joining Au Clair de Lune in 2021. Assia excels in classroom management and is passionate about promoting student autonomy, teaching subjects like reading, nature, art, music, literature, and personal hygiene.
Laure Migard
Lead Teacher
Laure, born and raised near Paris, France, developed a passion for English in middle school. She majored in Anglophone studies and spent a semester at Auburn University in Alabama in 2018. Returning to France, she earned a Master’s degree in Translation. In 2021, she joined an exchange program and taught French at the University of Missouri, where she also earned a Master’s in Language Teaching. In 2023, she moved to San Diego to join Au Clair de Lune and discovered a love for working with young children. Laure is currently pursuing a PhD in Education. She enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her French cat. Since moving to the US, she has visited over forty states.
Floriane Nicol
Lead Teacher
Floriane, from Brest, Brittany, earned her French diploma in Business Management before working as an Au Pair in the US. She discovered her passion for teaching French to young children and transitioned to become a Lead Teacher. Alongside her teaching career, she obtained her Certified Nurse Assistant license and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She's currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in the same field. Floriane believes in play-based learning and multilingual exposure for children's development.
Cindy Polanski
Assistant Teacher
Cindy was born and raised in Corsica (France), and moved to the U.S. 4 years ago. With a background in science, technology, and management, her passion is Child Development. Cindy has over 10 years of professional childcare experience, working as a Lead and Assistant Teacher in Ohio, Tennessee, and California in preschool and Montessori settings.
Cindy loves children and is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and trusting classroom environment. She looks forward to spending the upcoming year with your child and making a positive, lasting impact on their life!
Léa Bigorne
Lead Teacher
Léa was born in Nancy (East of France). She fell in love with teaching in high school and decided to pursue a career in education. She got a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and studied for a year in Dublin, Ireland. After obtaining her Master's degree in English in 2020, she traveled to the UK and taught French at the University of Liverpool for a year. She, then, taught English as a second language in middle schools and high schools in France. In 2023, she successfully passed a French teaching certification (CAPES) but decided to leave France for San Diego to broaden her skills and learn new teaching methods. Outside the classroom, Léa loves sport, particularly tennis and running, and she is trying to learn how to do crochet. She is a dog lover and spends a lot of time on dog beaches to pet or to play with the animals.
Leilani Mamea
Assistant Teacher
Leilani was born and raised near Temecula in Southern California. She earned her Seal of Biliteracy Certification in French during her high school years and later completed an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts/Math and Science at a local community college. Leilani has diverse work experience, including roles as a preschool teacher, a Young Engineer Instructor for middle school students, and a substitute in various after-school programs. She has been with Au Claire de Lune since its inception. Though not a native French speaker, Leilani has greatly improved her French and speaks exclusively in the language with the children.
Isairis Higuera
Chef
With three years of training at a culinary art school, Isairis prepares delicious and nutritious meals every day. Her commitment to providing diverse and wholesome food introduces the children to a variety of tastes and textures, crucial for their development. By exposing them to a wide range of culinary experiences, she helps form lifelong healthy eating habits and cultural appreciation. Isairis’s dedication extends beyond nutrition, as she ensures the food is visually appealing and appetizing, enhancing the children's mealtime experiences.