Linda Fenouil
Private Lessons; Conversations du lundi, B1, and Alter Ego B2 Classes
Hello! My name is Linda Fenouil. I was born in Nice in the south of France where I grew up and spent most of my adult life. In Nice, I worked in a research laboratory (CNRS) for 12 years.
I am married and I have three grown children. My family and I came to Louisville in 1993 when my husband took a position as a software engineer.
I started working with the Alliance Française in 2002. It is a beautiful adventure that lasts.
Lusumbi Dibaya
A1, A2 and B1 Classes; since 2017
Lusumbi Dibaya is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After arriving in the USA in 2001, he pursued his education at UofL and graduated in 2004. Since then, his passion for teaching French has been unwavering. Having experienced the challenges of learning English and teaching French, he has gained a crucial experience that shapes his teaching philosophy.
He firmly believes that learning a foreign language can significantly impact one’s confidence and may even discourage their desire to learn if not handled properly. To address this issue, Lusumbi is dedicated to creating a stress-free and culturally competent environment in his classes. He treats his students as unique individuals and places their learning abilities in the highest regard.
Since joining Alliance Française in 2017, Lusumbi has taught all levels and conducted in-person classes, providing his students with a rich and rewarding language learning experience.
Joseph Mackenzie-Rollinson
Private Lessons; Selon Nous Class
My name is Joseph Mackenzie-Rollinson and I am delighted to be counted among the wonderful teachers that make up part of the team here at the Alliance Française de Louisville. Being of British origin and spending much of my life living between England and France, I learned from a young age to appreciate enormously the great cultural differences between these two countries.
In France I consider myself an adoptive Burgundian as it was in the town of Semur-en-Auxois (68 miles west of the city of Dijon) where I was able to learn, experience and live all that I know regarding French language, culture and (most of all !) gastronomy thanks to my godparents who owned a Hotel-Restaurant located in the walled section of the town. Later in life I worked at the local Anna Judic High School in Semur as an English teacher, upon where I met my future (American) wife, Julia. It was love at first sight and after graduating from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in modern languages (French and Spanish) I then decided to move to Louisville and we were married in April 2009.
I have been working at Alliance Française de Louisville for 3 years where I teach the advanced conversation class ‘Selon Nous’ as well as some private classes. I also work at Humana in downtown Louisville where I often have the chance to use my Spanish language skills in my day to day work. When not working I love to train in the weight room at the gym as well as preparing myself for the many running races which take place here in Louisville during the year. I am passionate about French literature and for all world cuisine and I am also a lover of playing the piano, even if I not the most talented in playing it!!! I can’t wait to get to know you in one of the Alliance Française classes where you will soon find out the fact that ‘practice makes perfect’. A bientôt I hope!!!
Aminata Thioune
Children’s Classes; Since 2019
My name is Aminata Thioune. I was born and raised in Senegal West Africa. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies, I obtained a scholarship to come to America. I’ve been living here for the last 24 years. I started at Alliance Française in 2019 and have been teaching French ever since.
Anne-Marie Lucchese
French for Travelers
Bonjour! Je m’appelle Anne-Marie. I was born and raised in Louisville and have been teaching at L’Alliance Française de Louisville since 2009. In addition, I was a former board member from 2005-2009 and was the office manager from 2009-2017. I am a UofL graduate having received both a BA and an MA. Currently, I am a graduate teaching fellow at Stony Brook University studying and teaching Italian.
I have lived and worked in Paris and Montpellier, France. For five years, I was a host family for the French students from Montpellier. I also lived with the French students for two summers on campus at UofL. Additionally, I interned for the Press Department at the Embassy of France in Washington, DC. As well, I was a Group Study Exchange participant with Rotary International in the southwest and central regions of France. For two years, I was the French teacher at St. Leonard (preschool-8th grade). I have attended language schools in Verona, Milan, Taormina (Sicily) and Turin, Italy and Cologne, Germany, and I have continued my Italian studies online with the school in Verona for the past few years. For ten years, I was a foreign language editor (Italian and French) for ProQuest, and I have taught Adult ESL classes for JCPS for the last few years. I thoroughly enjoy teaching foreign languages to students of all ages. I am happy to be a part of AF de Louisville!
Jennifer Shirley
A1 Classes; Private Lessons
Jennifer Shirley has been teaching High School French since 1998 and currently teaches French 1-AP 4 at Assumption High School. She lived and taught in France on a Fulbright Teaching Exchange. She studied abroad in college and participated in the Sister Cities Exchange Program. She has an MAT plus 21 additional graduate hours in French. In her free time she enjoys yoga, camping, hiking, and traveling. She is so excited to teach at AF Louisville!
Hichame Naciri
A2 and B1 Classes; Private Lessons
Bonjour! My name is Hichame Naciri, I am a native of Morocco, North Africa. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2017, with a Master’s in French Literature.
I have been teaching French at a College level since 2014. I taught French courses from Language to Literature and Culture. I also teach Arabic courses from Moroccan Darija to Classical Arabic. Having learned a few languages myself, has helped me tremendously in gaining an understanding of what it takes to be proficient in a foreign language. I feel I can easily relate to students’ expectations and frustrations.
An important aspect of my teaching is the integration of culture in my classroom. I see the language classroom as a place were both language and culture are connected; language cannot be taught or learned independently of culture.
I am very excited to join the Alliance Française family and cannot wait to share my knowledge with my students and colleagues.
Carol Susman
A1 Classes
Bonjour! My name is Carol Susman. I was born in Michigan, and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1991, I moved to Charleston, West Virginia where I now live with my husband, Tom.
I fell in love with the French language in middle school, and eventually earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Indiana University. A summer study program in Dijon and, later, a yearlong stay with a French family in Paris as an “au pair,” deepened my appreciation for the French language, culture, and history. After working for a time in the insurance industry, I was asked to teach French classes at my sons’ Montessori school. I decided to earn my Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Marshall University, and have taught students from preschool through college. I am currently teaching French at West Virginia State University.
When not teaching, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and walking dogs at the local animal shelter. I look forward to sharing the joy of the French language with all of you!
Corinne Cristante
A1 Classes
Bonjour! My name is Corinne Cristante. I am a French native from Toulouse, southwest of France and I have a diploma to teach French as a second language. Thanks to my husband’s work, I had the opportunity to travel around the world for many years as an expatriate. We met different cultures and I taught to different audiences, each time was a great and enriching experience. For our last expatriation, I am happy and grateful to use that knowledge to accompany my students of the Alliance Française in this adventure which is learning the French language and culture.
Emeline Ulliman
Private Lessons, Ciné-Salon
Bonjour à tous! My name is Emeline Ulliman, and I am a native of Épinal, France. I received my B.A. and M.A. in English from the Université de Lorraine (Nancy campus), as well as an M.A.T.L. in French and TESOL from the University of Southern Mississippi, where I taught beginning French for two years.
I’ve also taught French for the State Department in Arlington, VA, and middle-school English in France. I joined the Alliance Française de Louisville in early 2017. I have lived in France, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, and now Kentucky. I am married to a monolingual Ohioan and we currently have two cats and one dog.