Who is who

After completing my Pedagogy degree and obtaining my teaching certificate in Deusto University, Spain and I headed to Salta, Argentina, where I collaborated with the Faculty of Education in the National University of Salta supporting undergraduate students and working with local schools. My PhD studies took me to England where I obtained my second teaching qualification. I worked in Nottingham Trent University teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and I taught in a range of schools. I mentored Post Graduate Students (PGCE) and New Qualified Teachers students (NQTs) and trained Schools Direct Students. I coached middle leaders, led the curriculum development of languages in two British secondary schools, and I worked closely with Primary and Secondary Schools Leadership Teams. 

In 2017 my family and I relocated to the South of France. Before the creation of We Love English, I worked in two renowned English Institutions in Toulouse as an English teacher and as a curriculum coordinator. 

I feel very privileged to be able to do the job I love. We speak three languages at home. Over the years, I have seen not only many students growing up and becoming bilingual (or trilingual) but also my own son. I know (as a teacher, as a mother and as a learner myself) the challenges that learning a language present, but I have also witnessed all its rewards. 

There are many other things I love apart from teaching.  Reading, traveling, and eating are three of them! 

British by birth, but having always nurtured close ties within Europe since my teens, I leapt at the opportunity to move to Toulouse in August 2019 with my family. At university, I studied German, Swedish and Linguistics and worked in both Germany and Sweden during my course. Together with my British-Spanish husband, we have three daughters.

I worked in public libraries in the Bristol area of the UK for over a decade before my passion for literature and reading led me into teaching. I completed my PGCE Primary and Early Years teaching certificate as an English Specialist at Bath Spa University and am a fully qualified teacher with several years of experience across all primary age ranges in the UK. Since my arrival in France, I have worked as a class teacher in a bilingual British-French school and studied at the Université Jean Jaurés, Toulouse – achieving DELF B2 level French in May 2022. I joined We Love English in November 2022.

In my spare time I love to read, walk our Labrador Tilly, hike and explore this beautiful country which I am lucky enough to now call home.

Hello, my name is Sarah Bushnell and I am an experienced teacher, musician and conductor. I graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow with a Master of Music in 1995. I have performed with orchestras throughout the UK and Europe whilst also organising and leading many orchestral tours in France and Germany with teenagers and coaching staff. My teaching career spans almost 35 years with students of all standards and ages with several past students graduating to Music college and careers in music themselves.

My family and I moved to France in 2011, with one of my children attending St Therese for several years. Since arriving here, I have performed in several musicals and English pantomimes in the TMP in Pibrac and have been teaching drama in English to groups of children and teenagers for TMA. I perform locally on violin and viola and teach violin and cello privately at home.

Whilst looking for ways to use my skills on a voluntary basis I saw the advert looking for help reading with French students. I am very much enjoying getting to know the children at St Therese, seeing their reading skills and confidence grow.

Hello, my name is Maggie Castaing. I am 60 years old and have lived in Tournefeuille since 1989. I have 2 children, aged 30 and 23, who have attended Sainte Thérèse school since nursery school. And coming back to work at Ste Therese brings back very good memories as I have worked as a volunteer in the past with GS to CE1 classes. I am very happy to work with We Love English observing and helping the children to develop their reading skills. It is a real pleasure to see them progress.