Pascale Herpe: Teacher
Studio Art/Art History/20th Century Cultural Movements
DNSEP Ecole des Beaux Arts de Toulouse '98

Pascale, in addition to being a new mom for the second time, is our much celebrated art teacher. She has created a dynamic and demanding course on the integration of arts, politics, and literature during the 20th century, with a focus on French contributions. Pascale lives in the neighboring village, and with her extensive connections in the local art scene, has been able to grant students access to a wide range of artists' studios. 		  Jeffrey D. David: Academic Director, Teacher
MA Political Science University of Montana, '10
BA Philosophy, BS Political Science,
University of Idaho '07

Jeffrey has worked for SFYI for five years between the US and France. Promoting the benefits and opportunities that come with education, Jeffrey teaches with the intention of making students aware of their capability to positively shape their own future through knowledge. Likewise, his motivation to maintain SFYI's standards for education is apparent in his supervision of academics, curriculum and interns. In heading the Academic Department, Jeffrey's total collegiate and graduate career, and background in professional politics has given him the knowledge and professionalism to ensure the proper implementation of SFYI's mission.
         
Corli Coetsee: Program Co-Coordinator
South Africa Summer Program
PhD Botany/Ecology University of Capetown '07

Corli, along with her husband Ben, helped Nicole design and structure the entire Southern African summer program, which includes travel throughout South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, and/or Lesotho. Together, the couple introduces students to the 'big-five'; game of Kruger National Park, coordinates our volunteer programs with the Zulu Nation, and shares their love of South Africa's natural beauty and diverse native communities.		 Ben Wigley: Program Co-Coordinator, Field Science Teacher
South Africa Summer Program
MS Botany/Ecology University of Capetown

Ben and his wife Corli helped Nicole design and structure the entire Southern African summer program, which includes travel throughout South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, and/or Lesotho. Together, the couple introduces students to the 'big-five'; game of Kruger National Park, coordinates our volunteer programs with the Zulu Nation, and shares their love of South Africa's natural beauty and diverse native communities.
         
Loren Beaulieu: Activities and Logistics Coordinator
On and Off Campus non-academic programming, physical plant maintenance
BTS MSMA DUT Developer Informatique- Avignon

Loren is in charge of coordinating all student activities, including trips to places such as Paris, Madrid, Marrakesh, and Venice. Loren is a native of Villesèque and comes from a family of local vintners. Loren and his family introduce our students to art, science, and economics of wine making—the primary industry of this region. In his spare time Loren loves snowboarding and canyoning; he also motorcycle tours through the Corbières, the Pyrénées and along the Costa Brava of Spain.		   Olivier Landri: Teacher
Mathematics- Geometry, Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus
CAPES/CAPET
Licence et DEUG A option MIAS University de Montpellier II '99, '01

Olivier has worked for SFYI for four years, teaching all levels of math to our diverse body of students. He's a math wiz, a rugby player, and a nationally ranked squash player.
         
Jean-Baptiste Peyrot des Gachons: Art Instructor

Jean-Baptiste is a locally celebrated visual artist who provides select advanced students with the opportunity to study independently with both he and his father, Patrick Peyrot des Gachons, as their studio in Fraisse. Jean-Baptiste's art is extremely attractive to our students for		   Jessica David: Admissions Coordinator
Metro State - Denver

Jessica enjoys American football, playing with her dog and the outdoors.
         
  Laurent Encinas
Master's: Oceanology/Ecology
Licence Biology/Ecology; Licence Biochemistry

Laurent's academic interest is centered in epistemology, interdisciplinary and transversal concepts. Laurent has extensive experience in sustainable development at the CONABIO (Comision National Sobre la Biodiversidad), Mexico D.F. Laurent has worked for the French national educational program on assessment methods and educational methods based on objectives and differential pedagogical methods. At SFYI, he teaches "Life Sciences," French and French Culture. 		  Stephanie Asco: Chef

Stephanie, or Fanny as she is affectionately known, prepares all of the meals served to our students. Each semester, she's had the opportunity to welcome students as culinary interns. Together, each pair has helped introduce students and staff to a wide variety of healthy and hearty fare; staff and students are quick to name their favorite dessert! In her spare time, Fanny remodels old stone buildings into tasteful and contemporary homes, and raises her young son Joseph.
         
Zina Kraien- Housekeeper

A native of Tunisia, Zina is part of a large and wonderful family in Villesèque, all of whom are a welcome addition to the SFYI community. When not tending to her grandchildren, Zina can be found planning a feast for our students in her home, tending her family's extensive garden with her husband and interested students, and dancing at every festival and birthday party!		      
We carefully select teachers and student-life staff members whose academic credentials and joie de vivre make them easy for students to respect, follow, and learn from. We hire certified American and French educators, all of whom are experienced, bilingual world travelers. Our 1:8 staff to student ratio allows us to provide all the support, guidance, and attention a students needs on this amazing journey into adulthood.
Our Amazing Staff