Claire Bergera

Classroom Teacher

Claire Bergera brings a variety of teaching experiences to FASTB, including a year at an immersion school in the United States, plus an excellent educational record that includes two Master’s Degrees.

Born in a small town in the Loire Department of France to a family of educators, Claire initially pursued a career in communication and human resources, but decided to expand her studies and attained a degree in economic and social administration. This led to an opportunity to work in schools at the nursery and primary level, an experience that changed the course of her career.

Inspired to teach, Claire pursued her Master’s Degree in Teaching, Education and Training from the Teacher Training Program of University of Lyon 1 and added a second Master’s in Public Health for children and adolescents as the first step in obtaining a PhD in Education.

After teaching two years at Lycée Ampère de Lyon, Claire decided to combine teaching with a passion for travel and language learning and landed in Edina, Minnesota, where she taught at the Normandale Elementary French Immersion School for one year. The following year, she taught French at a Waldorf school in Costa Rica. These international experiences exposed her to Montessori, Steiner/Waldorf and Responsible Classroom pedagogies, which fit her teaching approach of positive education for the whole child:

“I am very interested in continuing my immersion education in Florida,” said Claire, “because this opportunity represents the ideal work environment for my vision of teaching.”

Jennifer Diedrich

Suzuki Violin and Piano Instructor

Jennifer grew up in DeKalb, Illinois and was a student of Arthur Montzka from 1974-1984. While still in high school, she studied viola and chamber music with the Vemeer Quartet at Northern Illinois University and later, at the University of Nebraska pursuing a degree in Human Development, Jennifer continued to study piano and played violin in community orchestras. At Nebraska, she also played intercollegiate tennis and became a USPTA teaching professional.

In 2002, Jennifer formed the studio, Suzuki Strings of St. Petersburg, where hundreds of children and families have studied under her direction and she has facilitated many opportunities for children to play with students of colleagues throughout the Tampa Bay region. For the past six years, Jennifer has served as the director of the summer Suzuki Institute in St. Petersburg, attracting students from all over the world.

Priscilla Perez-Martinez

Classroom Teacher

Arriving from the French Riviera, where she has been teaching near Nice and Monaco for the past ten years, Priscilla Perez-Martinez has a unique pedagogical background having taught young children in many settings and situations, from preschools in hospital pediatric trauma units and schools serving children with disabilities, to Montessori schools and even nurseries for newborns. These multifaceted experiences are enriched by Priscilla’s patience, empathy, compassion, tolerance and kindness. It is her love of children of all ages that made teaching Maternelle (and becoming a mother of 4!) a logical life path.  Recognized for her unique expertise and devotion, Priscilla serves on the certification board of BEP and CAP, which are early childhood education professional diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education.

While pursuing her career in education, Priscilla competed nationally in Judo and founded and managed a Judo school for 12 years. The center served students of all ages and was sponsored by her friend, and two-time world and Olympic champion, Laetitia Payet. Priscilla’s passion for young children is contagious and her knowledge of Physical Education and Martial Arts will provide many opportunities for FASTB students.

Having visited America several times on family vacations, this long-awaited opportunity represents an exciting new chapter in Priscilla’s life:  “It has always been my dream to come to the United States for a long period of time to fully experience the language and culture.”