Allée de la Petite Prairie 12, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland
contact@secretofchildhood.ch | +41 22 361 20 00 | Monday-Friday : 8h – 18h30
Geir Braathen, Dr. Scient. in physical chemistry, received his education in Norway, France, and the United States. Before opening our school in 2017, he worked at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva for 14 years as a researcher in atmospheric chemistry. He has been the director of the school since 2017.
Guadalupe Torrevillas, B.Sc. in Biology, obtained her AMI diploma for ages 3–6 in 2011 in Geneva. She is authorized by the education departments of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud to teach at levels 1P and 2P, and she is licensed to serve as director by the Cantonal Service for Child Daycare (SCAJE). She has been the director of the school since 2017. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, she taught English for several years in different countries.
Coming from a sports background, I discovered the Montessori method in 2016 while looking for a school that respects children’s development for my eldest child. It was a true revelation—an obvious choice—that led me to enrich my journey with university studies in education sciences, Montessori 3–6 educator training, and Montessori Sports training.
For the past three wonderful years, I have been applying the principles of this pedagogy both in the classroom and on the sports field, convinced of its impact on children’s overall development. As the father of two boys who attended Montessori schools, I have seen firsthand how this method fosters their independence, curiosity, and self-confidence. This conviction guides my work every day, inspired by this quote from Maria Montessori: “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform the world with him.”
Ayesha works as English teacher in our 3-6 classroom. She holds an AMI teacher diploma for 3-6 years old children.
Xavier is the lead teacher in our 6-12 classroom. He holds AMI teacher diplomas for 3-6 and 6-12. He brings 15 years of teaching experience in Montessori schools in France and Switzerland.
I have a degree in psychology and I first worked in the French education system for five years as a teaching assistant. During this experience, I had the opportunity to work with children aged 3 to 12 (in classrooms or workshops) and in a special needs class for children with physical and/or psychological disabilities.
Then, following an observation in a Montessori classroom, I decided to do the training in the Montessori pedagogy for 3-6 years old children.
I was truly thrilled to observe this community of children working with great determination to develop their abilities!
Since then, I am always moved when I see in a child’s eyes the joy of having successfully accomplished a task on their own, or when I observe them kindly helping each other. I received my AMI Montessori teacher’s diploma in 2011.
From 2011 to 2019, I worked in two schools in Geneva and I am happy to be working in The Secret of Childhood Montessori School in Nyon school since 2019!