the Montessori educators

Myriam Seydoux is the co-founder of the Montessori School of Gaillac.

After four years of working with the children in the preschool classroom, she continues to support the school’s development as its president.

She is the principal of the Montessori Middle School of Gaillac, which opened its doors in September 2022

My name is Hélène Ballande. I am a mother of two who have attended Montessori schools. I have worked as an international lawyer between France and the United States and have spent about ten years abroad.

I trained in the Montessori method with Valérie Maestre—author of Le Chemin de l’Enfant—after moving to the Tarn in 2012, and later with Marie-Hélène Barbier. I first worked as a 3–6-year-old educator at La Maison des Enfants in Albi before founding the Montessori School of Gaillac with Myriam Seydoux. Since the school opened, I have been the head of school and the lead educator for the elementary class (ages 6–10 / CP–CM2).

In 2014, I completed training on The Grammar of Emotions with the EIREM Institute (Isabelle Filliozat). I have taught prenatal yoga, and I continue to practice yoga and meditation which I enjoy sharing with the children.

Anaïs Autechaud

I joined the Montessori School of Gaillac in 2022 as an educator for children ages 3–6.

I have been working in early childhood education since 2012. Throughout this journey, active and compassionate pedagogies have always guided my work.

I am passionate about supporting children in their learning while also focusing on their well-being and development as individuals.

I now thrive as an educator, continually enriching my practice and sharing values such as independence, empathy, listening, and the discovery of nature and life with the children.

My name is Camille, and I have been working with children for several years. I acquired my experience through various roles, including as a school teacher, private French tutor abroad, and also working at summer camps.

I discovered the Montessori method in Vietnam, where I worked as an English teacher for children ages 3–6 at an international Montessori school for several months. It was a revelation for me. I had just found a meaningful way to share my passion for teaching young children through a method that aligns with the values I hold.

This experience inspired me to pursue my AMI Montessori certification for ages 6–12.

I worked at a Montessori school in Guadeloupe before coming to Gaillac, and I am excited to begin this wonderful year with a close-knit team.

The Montessori garden is managed by the association Montessori Gaillac, a non-profit association registered at the Prefecture of Tarn.

The school is private, secular, out of contract, declared with the Mairie de Gaillac and subject to an annual inspection by the Inspection Academique du Tarn.