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

Hello, I'm Carrie Coates, and I'm excited to join the Little French School's Board of Directors. I'm a mom to Aaron, who is part of the preschool class, and I come to this role with a background in Elementary Special Education. We recently moved to Eugene, and I was immediately drawn to the welcoming atmosphere and values of the Little French School.

When I discovered the Little French School and its mission, I knew I wanted to be part of this community. Early childhood education has always been close to my heart, and I believe it's a crucial foundation for a child's future.

Being new to Eugene, I see this as a wonderful opportunity to get involved and contribute to a place that has already made a positive impact on my family. I'm here to learn, share, and support in any way I can. I genuinely look forward to being a part of the team and helping the Little French School continue its important work in early childhood education.

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.