Bonjour! I'm Elise Gonin, a French curriculum creator, storyteller, and community builder originally from the south of France and now based in Chicago.
I grew up in my family's bed and breakfast near Toulon, where guests from all over the world gathered around our dinner table. Listening to different languages and stories sparked my curiosity from a young age and taught me something I still believe today: language is about connection.
Like many students in France, I spent years studying English in school without ever feeling truly comfortable speaking it. It wasn't until I moved to the United States that I discovered the power of learning through real life, meaningful experiences, and genuine human connection. That experience continues to shape everything I create today.
Over the years, I've worked in education, including developing programs for children and families at the Pompidou Center in Paris and helping build community at a French immersion school in Portland, Oregon. While I no longer teach in the classroom, education remains at the heart of my work.
Today, I spend my time raising my daughter, Victoria, creating French curriculum resources used by teachers around the world, and writing Mon amie Élise, a monthly snail mail club that brings French culture, stories, crafts, and childhood memories to children and families.
I also help build community for families in Chicago through Middle Ground, a project focused on creating flexible childcare and coworking options that better support modern parents. I'm passionate about helping families find connection, support, and a little more balance in their everyday lives.
Whether I'm designing a French lesson, writing a letter inspired by my childhood, or helping create spaces where parents can thrive, my goal is always the same: to bring people together through culture, learning, and meaningful experiences.
Even though I now live thousands of miles from where I grew up, I still carry France with me every day—and I love finding new ways to share a little piece of it with others.
À bientôt,
Elise