Francoise Deristel-Leger
Francoise Deristel-Leger was born and raised in Hartford, CT. Her parents were born and raised in Haiti before coming to the United States. Since her parents believed that education was the key to survival and success, Francoise attended Kingswood-Oxford School. This gave her the foundation for work in education and philanthropy. She graduated from UConn with a BA in Sociology. Then she earned her Masters in Education at the University of Hartford. She also earned her AMI Primary Montessori certificate at the Montessori Training Center Northeast.
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 around the world providing educational support and professional learning opportunities for the educators. Francoise also started a Montessori school in Uvita, Costa Rica called Casa Del Niño.
Francoise was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Anchors of Emotional Intelligence Institute in 2016. She has implemented RULER in her classroom from that point on. When she is not teaching, Francoise is spending time with her family. She is a proud mother of four children. She also serves on Hartford’s Democratic Town Committee where she serves as Secretary. Francoise is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Hartford Alumnae Chapter.
Francoise does mission work in Haiti with children called Barrels of Hope 4 Haiti where she collects donations that include toiletries, health and hygiene, school supplies, and toys and fills barrels that are shipped to Haiti and distributed to individuals in need. Francoise also runs her own business called 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.