Françoise Deristel-Leger, M.Ed.

Evergreen Online M.Ed. Professor
Affiliate Professor
fderistel-leger@loyola.edu

Education

BA Sociology, UConn
M.Ed. Montessori Education, University of Hartford
Primary Montessori Diploma, Association Montessori Internationale

Biography

Francoise Deristel-Leger was born and raised in Hartford, CT. Her parents were born and raised in Haiti before coming to the United States. Francoise has worked for Hartford Public Schools as a teacher and is currently developing a public Montessori program in Norwalk, CT. This is the first public Montessori program in Fairfield County. Francoise believes in equity in education for all children. Francoise is also an International Education Consultant. She travels to Montessori and traditional schools worldwide, providing educational support and professional learning opportunities for educators. Francoise also started a Montessori school in Uvita. Costa Rica, called Casa Del Niño.
She is a proud mother of four children. She also serves on Hartford’s Democratic Town Committee as Secretary. Francoise is also an active Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Hartford Alumnae Chapter member. Francoise does mission work in Haiti with children called Barrels of Hope 4 Haiti. She collects donations that include toiletries, health and hygiene, school supplies, and toys and fills barrels that are shipped to Haiti and distributed to needy individuals. Francoise also runs her own A Little Yoga, where she teaches yoga and mindfulness to children and adults. She believes that children and adults need a way to self-regulate by being active and engaged in yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness.