Christelle Lonez

Christelle’s 24-year career as an educator has taken her from her native Belgium to Louisiana (USA), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Lilongwe (Malawi), and most recently to Geneva (Switzerland) in 2015. These experiences have enabled her to gain wide-ranging perspectives on educational best practice around the world.

Early in her career, Christelle taught French in Louisiana public schools for the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), whose mission is to support and grow Louisiana’s francophone communities through scholarships, French immersion and various community and language skill-building programmes. This experience impacted her professionally and personally, increasing her existing belief in the power of language learning and caring relationships. Over the years, she has become a passionate advocate for international education, inclusion, language learning and education for peace, knowing the impact an education can have for success in life.

Currently she is the Primary School Principal at Campus des Nations, driving innovation through student-centred decision-making and a focus on inclusive education, inquiry-based and experiential learning.

Christelle is an active volunteer in the International Baccalaureate Educator Network participating and leading accreditation visits on behalf of the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

She is a Jacobs Foundation fellow, developing and enhancing her knowledge of Early Childhood Education, based on up to date research, and integrating innovative educational practices in her practice and that of her teaching team, with the aim to make her school an even better place for its students.

Christelle is a keen photographer, enjoys hiking and skiing, international cuisine and cinema and enjoys travelling with her two children, the youngest one at Campus des Nations Secondary school.