Cheer Team

A journalist and corporate communications professional by training, Sarah Guthrie stumbled into fundraising while doing something else. She was the volunteer in charge of creating a library at her son’s charter school in 1999 (AL, of course) when she realized that there was no budget for books. After her husband discovered her dipping into the grocery money to buy library materials, she knew she needed to learn how to raise money.

Combining on-the-job training with workshops, webinars, and other fundraising classes, she learned the power of using stories to raise funds for a variety of clients including the Child Protection Center and the American Stroke Foundation.

She has a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Tennessee and a master’s in broadcast communication arts from San Francisco State University. A speaker and writer, she obtained her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification in 2014. When she’s not raising money, she’s dreaming about it.

Bonjour! I am a special education teacher for Académie Lafayette at the Oak campus. I retired from the Oak Grove School District in 2006 after 31 years of teaching special education. For two years, I enjoyed watching my grandchildren, but after my grandson left me for kindergarten, I realized how much I missed teaching. This will be my tenth year working at Académie Lafayette, and I must say that watching the growth of Académie Lafayette has been amazing.

I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Missouri State University (now UCM). I have also earned 32+ additional college hours from various universities beyond my master’s but not directed to a degree. I have also attended numerous workshops to remain current with the trends in special education.

My husband, Maurice, and I live in Oak Grove, Missouri, with two very old, spoiled pugs. When I am not working, I am reading, knitting, gardening, baking, working crosswords, and spending time with my five grandchildren, camping, or helping my husband.

Hello, my name is Randi McCreary, and I am the sixth grade English teacher at Académie Lafayette. I have been teaching for 18 years with a bachelor’s in English and creative writing from the University of Missouri and a master’s in education from Avila University. I truly enjoy teaching students how to become the best writers, readers, speakers, and listeners that they can. Académie Lafayette is a wonderful place to incorporate my love of creativity.

When I am not teaching, writing is a big part of my life. I am a published writer that has had work featured in Essence Magazine and O Magazine, and I am the author of two poetry chapter books found at Barnes & Noble. I am the mother of two beautiful daughters and love spending time with my family. A fun fact about me is that I am a Funds for Teachers Fellow and spent a summer in Harlem, New York, researching the life and times of Langston Hughes.

I am more than happy to be part of the wonderful Académie Lafayette community. I graduated from the school of education in Dakar, Senegal, known as École Normale Supérieure (ENS). I hold a master’s and a DEA (advanced study degree) in history from Cheikh Anta Diop University, as well as a master’s in international relations from City University of New York. I started a Ph.D. and then left to fill in as a substitute teacher for six months. With that experience, I learned I loved to teach and decided to become a certified teacher. After I taught few years, I left the country. I taught in New York as a GED teacher and served as an enrollment and family advocate.

My name is Armand Tsafack; I’m married and I have five kids. I have master’s degrees in mathematics education and in pure mathematics. I have seventeen years (and counting) of teaching experience as a mathematics teacher from 6th–12th grade in my home country,Cameroon. I also have two certificates to teach in Missouri: Mathematics 5–9 and Mathematics 9–12. The 2017–18 school year marked my seventh year teaching at Académie Lafayette.

I currently teach 6th grade mathematics. I’m very excited to use my real work experience in the field of mathematics to live in a manner that makes learning both enjoyable and effective.

I live in Blue Springs, Missouri, but was born in Cameroon, West Africa. I moved to the United States in 1999 to join my mother and my stepfather, who have both been educators in Kansas City public schools since 1991.

After receiving a bachelor’s in finance and marketing from the University of Yaoundé II, I worked at the Census Bureau for 2 years with American health experts who were collecting data on health issues regarding infants and new moms. Then, I went back to school to become an elementary teacher. After my student teaching, I was hired to come and teach at Longan French Magnet School in Kansas City.

After a year of teaching kindergarten, I realized that I needed to learn more about American kids and their culture. I decided to go back to school at UMKC where I obtained a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2004.

With 15 years in the Kansas City Public School District, I’ve taught kindergarten (5 years), first grade (1 year), second grade (2 years), third (3 years), and fourth and fifth grades (4 years). I joined Académie Lafayette in 2014 to teach science and math to fifth grade, which I still enjoy very much.I am a mother of a beautiful and intelligent young woman named Manuella. She is 20 and going to college but still lives at home with me.

A father of three, I have two girls and a boy. I got my teaching degree in Senegal where I taught for 6 years. I earned a master’s in education at the University of Central Missouri. I also coach the first AL Students Spaceflight Exploration Program (SSEP) and went to a NASA trip for the 10 winners awards in 2014. I am very passionate about soccer, and I co-coach the AL middle school soccer team.

I am a native of N’kongsamba, Cameroon. I attended the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a year, moved to England the following year, then to Paris where I graduated from the University of Sorbonne, Paris, with a double major in foreign languages and international law. I have a combined teaching experience of 31 years, 6 of which were at AL. I was attracted to AL because of its excellent team of teachers, great students, and supportive parents.

I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. I enjoy entertaining, dancing, cooking, reading, watching political news, and watching movies. I’m a “hidden” event coordinator: I have coordinated all the weddings that happened in my family.

Bonjour! My name is Stacia Benoit, and I have been the French paraprofessional teacher at Académie Lafayette for the past 2.5 years. What attracted me to this school was the French-speaking community and family feel that we have here at AL. I am originally form Gatineau, Quebec, and I have a degree in communications and interdisciplinary studies from Southeastern University. I am married and have two lovely boys! I love the outdoors, time with family, and travel! I also love helping people and serving your children at Académie Lafayette!

Bonjour from the library! My name is Judy Clause, and I do the technical work in the library one day a week. This is mostly cataloging of new books and helping to make sure books make it back to the library from homes. I am a retired teacher and certified library media specialist. I taught in the primary grades, mostly 3rd grade for more years that I will admit! Then, I became a librarian.

Working at AL is like working in a small global community with teachers from many different places. I have even learned a few words and phrases in French! The staff here has been very kind and patient with this non-French speaking librarian. I love my time at AL and am so impressed with the way the staff works so hard for their students’ success. The children never cease to amaze me at how quickly they transition to French. I feel lucky to be here with this staff and these students. It has truly been a learning experience for me!

I am a Kansas City girl, born and raised, and attended UMKC graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled to many other countries around the world and have gotten to use my French while on vacation. 2017 marked my fourth year on staff at Académie Lafayette. I am also a former student of the school, and my daughter is a current student. When I am not at school, I enjoy traveling, shopping, and doing things around KC with my daughter.

I was born in Nantes in the west part of France among the vineyard where I used to play when I was young. I have been teaching for 10 years now and for one year in AL. I have studied at the University of Nantes. I have a degree in French as a foreign language, in foreign languages and in education.

I am married with two kids. I love traveling and teaching abroad. I was an Au Pair in Spain, an assistant in Gibraltar and a volunteer teacher at The University in Ho Chi Minh Ville. Then I taught French as a foreign language in Cambodia at the university, at the French Cultural Center, and in a military school. When I came back from Cambodia, I went back to the university to become a primary school teacher. I taught in preschool, elementary, and special education in Vendée, France. In 2013, I moved to the island of Saint Martin for three years. When I was there, in 2016, I decided to answer an ad. That’s what led me to teach at AL. I really enjoy reading, movies, and traveling around new places.

Hello! My name is Amanda Lyons, and I teach third grade at the Cherry campus. I have been teaching for over 10 years, more than 3 of which have been at Académie Lafayette. I hold degrees in French and romance languages from UMKC. I have also attended classes at the Université Lumiere II in Lyon, France. I am originally from Michigan and also lived in Kansas before my husband and I settled in Kansas City, Missouri, almost 16 years ago. I have 2 beautiful daughters, one in high school and one in elementary school. I love music and dance. I am an avid DIYer and the handyman around our house. I also love to read and learn and am a big time TED Radio Hour fan. Thanks for stopping by to read a little about me. See you at school!

I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After graduating from high school, I lived, studied, and worked first in Belgium, then in Mexico. I obtained my undergraduate at Saint Xavier University in Chicago and my master’s at UMKC. I am currently finishing my doctoral degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I am certified in Missouri in both French and Spanish. As of 2017, I have buckled 21 years of teaching, 18 of which spanned from kindergarten to university, right here in the United States.

Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Yannis Taillasson et je suis professeur des écoles, titulaire de l’Éducation Nationale française. J’ai obtenu mon diplôme à Paris où j’ai vécu 11 ans et qui reste une de mes villes préférées. Avant d’arriver à Kansas City, j’ai travaillé à Houston et en Tunisie.

Pendant mon temps libre, j’aime faire du sport, aller au cinéma, écouter de la musique, cuisiner, lire et jouer du saxophone. J’aime également passer du temps avec mes amis et voyager. Mon rêve serait de pouvoir aller en apesanteur.Bonjour ! My name is Yannis Taillasson, and I’m a primary school teacher, with a tenure holder from the French National Education. I got my diploma in Paris, where I lived for eleven years. I still love to visit Paris, as it remains one of my favorite cities in the world. Before my move to Kansas City, I taught in Tunisia and in an international school in Houston, Texas.

During my free time, I like to play sports, go to the movies, listen to music, cook, read, and play saxophone. I also really like spending time with my friends and traveling. One of my dreams would be to feel weightlessness.

Born and raised in Kansas City, I have worked in the Kansas City Missouri School District as well as parochial and charter schools. I have taught kindergarten and first grade self-contained classrooms. At Academie Lafayette, I have taught English reading for K–2. I love to read and am often spotted at the local library. You may see me walking my dogs or catch me in my garden. My husband and I are grateful that our daughter attended AL and has traveled to France several times. We are grateful to have shared a part of our lives in this community.

Bonjour, my name is Chloé Gaillot, and I was born in a little town named Montceau les Mines in Burgundy. I came to the U.S. for the first time in 2012 as a kindergarten intern at Académie Lafayette. I got my master’s degree in education when I returned to France.

Before moving back to Kansas City as a homeroom teacher in 2016, I spent two years as a teacher in a French school in Vietnam.

I love challenges, and living abroad is one of them, along with athletic events. The activities I like are working out (more precisely boxing), being with my friends, meeting new people, cooking and trying to improve my English!