Maria Serourian

My name is Maria, and I come from the United States.  At university, I majored in French Language and Literature which allowed me to study in France for two years as an exchange student.  Not only did that experience deepen my love for France, but it also awakened my desire to discover other parts of the world. 

After receiving a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) degree, I started working abroad as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher in South Korea and later in Corsica and in Japan.  Working as an ESL teacher, I realized that I really enjoy working with children, but it was not until I started working at an international school in Moscow that I discovered my true calling as an early years teacher.        

Since I knew I wanted to continue working with children beginning their educational journey, I decided to train as a Montessori teacher.  After completing the training in Lyon, I worked for five years as a Montessori teacher in Marseille and in Pau.

My experiences living abroad have taught me the importance of cultural understanding, empathy, and respect, and I am thrilled to join a school that shares these same values and offers a true international experience to its students. 

With my love of nature, especially of the mountains and the forest, I am also very happy to discover Annecy and Haute-Savoie.  I enjoy sharing my love for nature with the children by dedicating time for regular outings to the forest and other outdoor activities such as gardening. 

As a teacher, I prioritize creating a stimulating learning environment that allows for exploration and creativity.  I also develop thematic units that align with the children’s personal interests and encourage them to pursue projects related to these interests.