Meet our Cycle 1 Teaching Teams
Petite Section (Pre-K3) - Classe homologuée
Ms. Mélanie Vincent (French) completed her bachelors of arts degree at the University of Rouen in France. After earning her teaching certificate at the IUFM Batignolles, she embarked on a teaching career that brought her to Austin International School in 2008. She is a proud mother of three AIS students who are growing up to be trilingual contributors to the world.
Ms. Lara Gudmanz (English) joined AIS in January 2023 as an early childhood English teacher. Prior to joining the AIS community, she worked as an elementary school educator at a top International Baccalaureate school in Dubai. Originally from South Africa, Lara's career started as a lower elementary educator at a leading independent school in Johannesburg. She holds a bachelor of education from the University of Witwatersrand and a graduate certificate in instructional leadership from Murdoch University in Dubai.
Mr. Laureano Martínez (Spanish), originally from Murcia, Spain joined AIS as the PS/MS Spanish teacher in 2022; he also teaches PE in the Middle School. Prior to starting at AIS, Laureano worked at the Ana María Matute School teaching social studies, math, reading, writing, science, and PE to children of varying grade levels. From 2014 through 2021, he worked at the Club Balonmano Murcia, supporting students from early childhood through high school in their extracurricular growth. A dedicated athlete, Laureano also coaches soccer locally in Austin. He holds two Bachelor's Degrees, one in Elementary Education and another in Physical Education. He received his Masters Degree in Secondary Education as well as a specialization in Therapeutic Pedagogy and Speech Therapy.
Ms. Géraldine Grousset (Assistant Teacher, MS1) joined Austin International School after a successful career as a certified assistant teacher in schools in France. She is passionate about sharing her language and culture with our youngest AIS students, while supporting both their personal and academic growth in a safe and nurturing environment.
Moyenne Setction (Pre-K4) - Classe homologuée
Ms. Amira Chihi Oudji (French, MS1) holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Civilization and a Masters degree in European Interdisciplinary Relations. Hailing from Tunisia, she worked as an educator in her home country, India, and Saudi Arabia before moving to Austin to begin working with early childhood learners. Passionate about education and student success, Amira completed a Fulbright Teaching program through the University of California Santa Barbara. In addition to her native languages of French, Arabic, and English, Amira enjoys practicing her Italian and Spanish on a regular basis.
Ms. Geneviève Rheault (French, MS2) began her teaching career in her home province of Québec, Canada. After completing her Bachelors degree in developmental education, she went on to earn her teaching certificate through the Ministry of Education of Québec. Since embarking on a career to passionately serve the needs of young learners, Geneviève taught at a number of schools across Québec and British Columbia, before first joining AIS's team in 2006. She is passionate about Latin dance, outdoor activities, and environmental conservation. She is also a proud parent of two amazing AIS students.
Ms. Lara Gudmanz (English) joined AIS in January 2023 as an early childhood English teacher. Prior to joining the AIS community, she worked as an elementary school educator at a top International Baccalaureate school in Dubai. Originally from South Africa, Lara's career started as a lower elementary educator at a leading independent school in Johannesburg. She holds a bachelor of education from the University of Witwatersrand and a graduate certificate in instructional leadership from Murdoch University in Dubai.
Mr. Laureano Martínez (Spanish), originally from Murcia, Spain joined AIS as the PS/MS Spanish teacher in 2022; he also teaches PE in the Middle School. Prior to starting at AIS, Laureano worked at the Ana María Matute School teaching social studies, math, reading, writing, science, and PE to children of varying grade levels. From 2014 through 2021, he worked at the Club Balonmano Murcia, supporting students from early childhood through high school in their extracurricular growth. A dedicated athlete, Laureano also coaches soccer locally in Austin. He holds two Bachelor's Degrees, one in Elementary Education and another in Physical Education. He received his Masters Degree in Secondary Education as well as a specialization in Therapeutic Pedagogy and Speech Therapy.
Ms. Houda Benchekroun (Assistant Teacher, MS1) was happy and excited to discover the school in 2006, and very much enjoys working at the school – a world of diversity and richness of cultures. “I like helping children discover the world and to teach them important values such as respect, work, and honesty,” she says. She is amazed at how children see the wonder in everyday things, and how their imaginations know no limits. The innocence and eagerness of the children makes her look forward to seeing their progress and positive results. Houda has worked during our summer camp as well, which she values for seeing the pleasure children take in drawing, painting, and learning foreign languages. She has been at AIS since 2006. Houda enjoys interior design, cooking Moroccan food and pastries, and teaching belly dancing.
Ms. Marine Johnson (Assistant Teacher, MS2) joined Austin International School from a career at the Dallas International School, where she supported her community in French and English. A native of France, Marine is passionate about sharing her language and culture with her students every day. She is a proud mother of three AIS students.
Grande Section (Kindergarten) - Classe homologuée
Ms. Pénylène Rysak (French, GS1) joined AIS’s teaching team from the Lycée Français de Medellín in Colombia. Prior to this, Pénylène taught in overseas French schools in Cameroon, Malaysia, Thailand, and St. Martin. She was an elementary school teacher at Dallas International School for a number of years and is excited to be back in Texas! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and French Language Education and a Master’s degree in Teaching. She has engaged in extensive ongoing professional development, with focuses on tech integration, writing, reading, and mathematics.
Ms. Aline Andriaça (French, GS2) will join AIS from the Lycée Molière in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Driven by a keen interest in languages and cultures, Aline earned a Bachelors degree in Portuguese and French before completing a Masters of Research in Language, Literature, and Civilizations at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III. She earned her teaching certificate in elementary education and special needs education in Niterói, Brazil. Since embarking on her career in education, she has supported young learners in achieving their best—both inside and outside the classroom. A key emphasis in her classroom is inclusion, equity, and social justice.
Ms. Monica Williams (English) first joined our team in 2017 as an early childhood teacher. Prior to AIS, Ms. Monica was a teaching team lead at Graham Elementary School in Austin and has over fifteen years of experience teaching from pre-kindergarten through second grade in elementary schools in Texas and Utah. She holds a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in both Family and Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Education. As the recipient of the Teacher of Promise award, Monica has been dedicated to highly engaging teaching throughout her career.
Ms. Isabel Ruíz (Spanish), originally from Spain, joined AIS in 2018. As a certified classroom teacher, she has taught a range of students around the globe, supporting them in becoming passionate agents of their own learning. She is a proud mother of two AIS students who have attended AIS since PS.
Ms. Sylvie Rozak (Assistant Teacher, GS1) joined AIS as a GS Assistant Teacher to support her students during their day-to-day personal and academic growth. Originally from France, she is passionate about sharing her language and culture with her students. Sylvie is the mother of an AIS graduate who has grown up to be a trilingual global citizen.
Ms. Nathalie Callea (Assistant Teacher, GS2), originally from France, has held various teaching roles at AIS, focusing primarily on the support of French language learning for early childhood and lower elementary students. In her role as GS Assistant Teacher, she supports both the personal and academic growth of her students, helping them push their boundaries at every opportunity.