Board Members

My name is Lauren Masak and I currently have two children at The Little French School one in the toddler class and one in the PreK class. I currently work as a receptionist. On the board, I am serving as the secretary and am enjoying bringing my organizational skills to the team. I decided to join the board at the beginning of the school year because I wanted to get more informed and involved with the running of the school.

I am currently a 6th grade teacher, at ATA in Eugene 4J and have a student in the Pre-K class, Ada.

I have served on another childcare board for 3 year during Covid times, had to serve many roles to help the director and executive board members to keep the center afloat, was a union president in the Blachly School District as a teacher, did contract negotiations and very aware of teacher salaries and contracts, Masters in Teaching/Education, current K-12 teacher, interest in educational policy, 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), and had heard of the academic rigor of LFS. Lived abroad for years in South Korea and Poland, and understood the importance of dual immersion and 2nd 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.

John Allcott MD got interested in our Little French School by the wonderful happen stance of meeting Assa Sylla Traore coming out of a Tracktown Oregon Sunday morning workout session in 2015. Et voila!   He has stepped up to help out with the LFS coming out of his rusty French Connection with …fading  French from high school and college at Yale,’67. He studied  medicine  at UNC  Chapel Hill as a foundation for his full time occupation  as an internal medicine physician in  Eugene  since  1978 ….and counting. Tiens!

He is confident that wife Beth and his commitment to education with students  from Indonesia, to Singapore and Hong Kong,  and  China,  to Eswatini( Swaziland,) Mali, and Kenya , to Peru, Mexico and Costa Rica, and ranging from Kindergarten to Ph D,  and so there must be several Francophiles scattered about.  John particularly helps with raising both friends and funds for the LFS. Formidable!

I have been a supporter of the school and its  Director for 7 years I am committed to continuing to offer early life, multicultural, ideas and influences that broaden are developing children’s understanding , cooperation and enthusiastic support of the interdependence among different people Including languages and culture.

I want to support the work … and play ! for this possibility and our shared future

Bio coming soon

After 20 years with the Little French School, I retired in 2016. I was the kindergarten teacher for most of that time and also taught Pre-K the last couple of years. I also served as interim Director for a short while. LFS has played a huge role in my life, and I care deeply about the success of this little school with a huge heart.

I have a Master’s degree in French and Education from the University of Oregon. I have lived and worked in Quebec and France, and I am a firm believer in language immersion as the best method of learning a language as well as contributing to the understanding and acceptance of different cultures.

Prior to joining the Little French School, I was a substitute teacher in Lane County schools for several years. I was certified to teach in K-12 and was most often called on to substitute as a French teacher. I continue to tutor students of all ages in French.  

In addition to sharing my love of language learning, my interests include theatre (performance), gardening and spending time in nature where I take frequent hikes with my dog, Abby.

Bonjour, 

My name is Alizée, and I am a second-year graduate student at the University of Oregon in the Nonprofit Management program. 

Being a French-Canadian with the intention of pursuing a career in the fundraising sector, I was delighted to learn that an organization like The Little French School exists in Eugene. 

I am eager to help The Little French School as much as possible for the following year as a board member while learning from this fantastic experience. 

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.

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 two children currently enrolled, 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!

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'ts advocate for themselves.

I recently learned about the Little French School and loved their mission. I saw as an excellent opportunity to use my experience to be a part of a board aims to help children succeed.