Oak Staff Directory
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I am the English K–1 teacher. I have been with Académie Lafayette since August of 2018. This is my 21st year teaching in early childhood. I have been fortunate enough to teach here in the United States, Russia, Croatia and in the Marshall Islands.
1ère Année (1st Grade)
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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 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!
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I am the English K–1 teacher. I have been with Académie Lafayette since August of 2018. This is my 21st year teaching in early childhood. I have been fortunate enough to teach here in the United States, Russia, Croatia and in the Marshall Islands.
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2ième Année (2nd Grade)
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3ème Année (3rd Grade)
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My name is André Sockmack, a native from Cameroon, a French speaking country in Central Africa. I have been teaching children, as well as adults, for more than 25 years. I have been teaching in the U.S. for 18 years and at Académie Lafayette for 11 years. I got my bachelor’s degree from the University of Yaoundé and a master’s degree in the art of teaching from Webster University.
I am a teacher, an author, and a writer of the series called La Pratique de l’Immersion en Français “Practical French Immersion.” I have a great family with three children. I love reading, listening to classical music, and being around happy people.
“I believe that Teaching is a Call from the above. I have been inspired to become an inspiring person.”
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4ième Année (4th Grade)
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I was born and raised in Tournon, South East France. I have been teaching for 8 years, 7 of which have been at Académie Lafayette. I have a master’s in teaching French as a second language from Stendhal University (Grenoble, France) and an educational specialist degree from the University of Central Missouri. I am also certified in elementary education in Missouri.
I love music and I have played the drums for 20+ years. I enjoy playing soccer, cooking, traveling, and reading.
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My name is Sheila Rowan, and I am honored to be a part of the Académie Lafayette community. This year is my 20th year of teaching and my 5th year here at AL. I love teaching 4th grade English and Communication Arts. I graduated from Rockhurst University with a BA and a Master’s in Education.
I have two beautiful daughters, Siobhan (18) and Alana (16). I lived in Ireland for almost two years, and my girls and I travel as much as we can. I love movies, reading, games (especially Scrabble!), music, and going to see the Royals play. My philosophy of teaching revolves around an eloquent quote that I just stumbled across after teaching a nonfiction unit on inventors. Ben Franklin once said… “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Click here to access my website.
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My dad told me I needed to graduate before going to America…just in case I would ever come back to France. So, I got my degree, left my small hometown of Chateau Thierry (one hour east of Paris) the week after… and never came back (except for vacation). Kansas City is home now…it’s been 23 years. Since then, I have graduated from UMKC with a bachelor and Master’s in education, I became an American citizen, and most importantly, my husband are proud parents of Ella (14) and Alex (10).
I have been teaching at Académie Lafayette for 17 years and have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade. I now teach 4th grade.
A few fun facts about me are that I love roller coasters, science-fiction movies and chai tea latte (hint hint). I run and swim (on and off), I also do hand lettering and calligraphy during my spare time.
I am delighted to be part of this special community and to share my culture and native language with my students.
5ième Année (5th Grade)
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Les Classes de Spécialistes (Specials Classes)
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Les Services Sociaux et L’Infirmerie
(Health & Social Services)
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Liz Seely is the Homeless Liaison for AL. Please click the links below to find out more about student eligibility for services and support under the McKinney Vento Homeless Education Act. This includes immediate school enrollment, school choice, free meals, school fee waivers and transportation.
Services de Soutien aux Elèves (Student Support Services)
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I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and Special Educator working at our Oak campus. I grew up in central Missouri and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. I received my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Kansas where my research emphasis was in reading disorders. I’ve spent my career working with children with speech, language, feeding, and learning challenges in home, clinic, school, and hospital settings. I’ve worked at AL since 2017. I live in Waldo with my husband, two French-speaking kids, dog, and two cats.
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I have been in the education field for over 30 years. My experience includes teaching in a general and special education setting as well as holding the positions of building principal, associate superintendent and director of special services. I have been an instructor at the university level and served as a trained hearing officer for Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I love to travel internationally and enjoy spending time with family and friends in Colorado. Due to the efforts of my daughter, my family supports an elementary school in Cape Town, South Africa.
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L’Administration
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Born, raised, and educated in Senegal, Jean-Claude Diatta earned a bachelor’s degree in English education and African literature, as well as a master’s in education at Cheikh Anta University. He worked as an administrative assistant and educator on human rights for Amnesty International in his native country, and he taught English (ESL) in middle school and high school. Upon joining Académie Lafayette in 2000, Jean-Claude taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade before becoming vice principal at the Cherry campus. While teaching at AL, Jean-Claude also earned his master’s in school leadership from the University of Central Missouri (2012). He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader for 22 years, and he enjoys nature, traveling, and photography.
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Dorothée Werner is a native of Paris, France, where she grew up and received a Bachelor’s degree from the Sorbonne University in English and International Business and a Master’s in International Studies.
Dorothée moved to Kansas City to teach French at Notre Dame de Sion, and spent 15 years in the corporate sector in marketing, public relations and advertising, becoming vice-president and working with Fortune 500 companies. She stayed home when her children were in elementary school and opened The French School, teaching French to pre-schoolers and adults. She also became involved in volunteer work both as PTA president in her kids’ public schools, and as a refugee coordinator teaching the Welcome to America class. She will tell you she is married to a wonderful American and has three stimulating bicultural children.
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