Embedded Files
The Little French School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and as such is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is a critical component of our school as it is legally responsible for fundraising and strategic oversights of the school. The Board is also responsible for ensuring the school's financial stability and sustainability and has the duty to make sure the school is effectively operating to fulfill its mission and serve the community.
Our board is composed of current parents, alumni parents, and community members. We require at least one-year commitment to be on our board, however, board members can serve as long as they would like. We are grateful for your service!
If you care about early childhood education and the French language, we would love to have you join our board. Please contact us at bonjourlfs@gmail.com.
Jessica Eldridge, Board Chair
Jess Dion discovered The Little French School (LFS) in 2022 and immediately fell in love with the welcoming atmosphere, French immersion experience, and the teachers. She feels that LFS offers a truly unique and unparalleled educational experience for toddlers and preschoolers in Eugene. She has one child currently enrolled and one alumnus, and they are thriving! Her youngest two will be enrolled in the next two years as they become old enough for the toddler class.
Jess has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and she co-owns Wild Light Yoga Center in Eugene with her husband Joey. She has a background in business leadership, interpersonal development, teambuilding, and teaching. She was excited to join the community and the board to give back to this incredible school. And though she doesn’t know French yet, she is learning with Duolingo!
Regina Mitchell, Board Vice Chair
I am currently a 6th grade teacher at Arts & Technology Academy in Eugene 4J and had a student enrolled at LFS named Ada.
I have served on another childcare board for 3 year during COVID times and had to serve many roles to help the director and executive board members to keep the center afloat. I was a union president in the Blachly School District as a teacher, did contract negotiations, and was very aware of teacher salaries and contracts. I have a Masters in Teaching/Education and am currently a K-12 teacher with an interest in educational policy. I am currently in a coalition to bring subsidized childcare to the Eugene 4J School District.
Because I had taken French in high school, and was waiting for Ada to become pottery-trained before I could enroll her (didn't realize the toddler classroom had been opened), I had heard of the academic rigor of LFS. I lived abroad for years in South Korea and Poland and understood the importance of dual immersion and second language acquisition.
I had a wealth of experience in the Eugene CDC and realized quickly (during the pandemic) that there was no CDC making profits and realized that it takes volunteers to keep early childhood education centers afloat, which is ridiculous. They should be able to make money without parents paying $1600/month.
Sylvain Lacasse, Treasurer
Sylvain Lacasse is French-Canadian and was born and raised in Quebec, Canada. Sylvain and his spouse are raising their daughter, who attends The Little French School, in both French and English.
Sylvain has been in Eugene since 2019 and has been a mortgage loan officer for over 22 years. As someone always working with numbers and as a parent of a bilingual child, Sylvain is excited to help the LFS board.
In his free time, Sylvain enjoys family time, camping, riding motorcycles, and attending concerts.
Cindy Huang, Secretary
Cindy Huang is a child psychologist and an associate professor of counseling psychology at the University of Oregon. She is a new transplant to Eugene from New York City and discovered LFS through social media. As a French double major in college and self-proclaimed Francophile, this seemed like an ideal school! After meeting with the wonderful teachers at LFS she was sold - the Pre-K classroom has been a wonderful mix of academics with social emotional development. Cindy is a mom of three kids ranging from middle school to Pre-K. She loves eating great food, traveling with her family, and discovering new activities in and around town.
Kris McDuffie, Staff Representative
Bio coming soon...
Diva Jones, Member
My name is Diva Jones. I grew up in Eugene and recently moved back. I am a parent board member at The Little French School (LFS). My son has flourished within the nurturing environment of LFS. I joined the board to better understand how to support the school's growth and strength.
I hold a Master’s degree in early intervention and a JD, both from the University of Oregon. Previously, I worked as an educator in early intervention and later within healthcare compliance as an in-house attorney for an organization that provides therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Since moving back to Eugene a year ago, I have dedicated myself to being a mom. I am passionate about supporting education and ensuring that educators and schools have all the tools and support they need to provide individualized and comprehensive services. I am eager to bring this passion to my role as an LFS board member.
Liz Quintanilla, Member
My name is Liz Quintanilla, and I am a current graduate student at the University of Oregon in the Nonprofit Management and Public Administration program.
I plan to work in the nonprofit sector once I finish school. I love to spend my time lifting and advocating for those who can't advocate for themselves.
I recently learned about The Little French School and loved its mission. I saw it as an excellent opportunity to use my experience to be a part of a board that aims to help children succeed.
Alex Hogansen-Terry, Volunteer Coordinator
Alex Hogansen-Terry found The Little French School in September of 2024. Her daughter Mila has flourished developmentally and socially since enrolling. Alex feels the school provides a welcoming environment that is open to working with children with differences. Alex has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. Alex is the owner and manager of East Lane Veterinary Hospital. She has a background in leadership, human resources, and bookkeeping. Alex enjoys spending time with her family, helping animals, traveling, backpacking, and reading.
Madison Phillips, Member
Madison was introduced to the Little French School in 2024 when looking for the perfect educational fit for her son. She loved the language aspect of an education at LFS, but more than that, felt the love and passion that all the staff held. Their personal commitment to the flourishment of all the students felt unmatched. Her gut is reaffirmed daily watching her son thrive academically and socially at LFS.
Madison is an Oregon native and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in International Business and Cultural Anthropology. She is a Financial Advisor, running a practice in Eugene, and partners with families across the US to financially plan for, protect and prioritize what's most important to them.
Madison loves serving on the board of directors at LFS and is passionate about helping to ensure sustainability so LFS can continue to offer an excellent early education for the children in the Eugene community.
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