The primary team
The primary team
Hélène Nabokoff
Headmistress
“It’s not success that makes you happy, it is happiness that makes you succeed.”
I am not Montaigne and to me, this quote has a value and a meaning in both ways.
I have combined my 2 years of training with my family life (I have a husband and 3 children), and at last I am at the final step of my dream: opening in autumn 2015 a bilingual English/French nursery school called Stepping Stones.
I designed painted furniture for children, and animal frescoes for diverse floors of a children’s hospital, to brighten there long stay. I also painted landscapes in creches, such as the optical illusion of an open window, to widen their space and horizons.
Common to my private and professional lives is that I am a mother and I want to bring balance from an early age to everyone.
I taught French to young English-speaking children, and that gave me the motivation to open my own school: a customised school, a real welcoming place, a transition to primary school to be done respecting the well-being of everybody.
Stepping Stones wants to make of those 3 years (3-6 y/o) a time during which, step by step, the child will experience socialisation, education, learning languages, autonomy, self-esteem – all useful skills in preparation of primary school. The setting is bright and aerated inside, and with plants and trees outside, in the intimacy of a family house.
Children are attended by a strong bilingual team of young teachers that will train their knowledge, harmony and balance necessary for a good start in life.
This dedication will be inspired by each child’s individual needs, with a direct collaboration with parents so that strong links can be drawn between the family world and the educational and pedagogical framework of each individual.
My aim is to lead new generations to have solid moral and intellectual basis, to allow stability, peace, serenity, reflection and not aspire to a race towards power.
This might seem ambitious, but childhood traumas, as well as joys, lead to what the adult will become. It’s therefore better to build a monument, rather than vainly trying to restore a broken construction!
“The one who wants to succeed finds the means” Like in this proverb, I have deployed all the necessary means to achieve my dream for a childhood as fair as possible.
I believe my present and future willingness will help me succeed.
Adela Ball
Language Coordinator
Every teaching experience can offer the teacher something to learn as well, and I have always learned the most from my youngest students, who gobble up knowledge and react so genuinely, so earnestly, to everything one might present for them to discover. As we strive to refine and develop our teaching methods, tools and approach, hoping to help make available every possible advantage for each child, the Stepping Stones project is the closest I’ve found to an ideal setting.
Though I was born in New York, I’ve lived, studied and worked in various parts of the world, and there were always two or three different languages being spoken simultaneously in the background. I’ve taught adults and children of all ages in many different settings, most recently at the Preschool section (Maternelle) of the Lycée français in Brussels, before coming to Stepping Stones. The possibility of immersing young children in a fully bilingual environment, while proposing a programme that is rich, diverse, flexible, and tailored to the needs of each child, is truly a privilege, and the results are bound to be rewarding.
Claudie Chassat
French Teacher
I see life as a creative journey and I cannot think of a better place than Stepping Stones to create an inspiring and nurturing environment for learning and growing. I feel privileged to contribute every day to Stepping Stones’ mission: “Nurturing tomorrow, step by step”, as part of a caring and dynamic team.
From a very young age, like many of our students, I moved around the world and came in contact with several cultures and languages. My family is from Alsace, a part of France where a German dialect is spoken (Alsatian) in addition to French. I then lived in Germany, the United-States, Great Britain and Singapore, and in addition to a strong capacity for adaptation, I gained an immense respect for difference and diversity which I believe is important to share with my students.
After a first career as an international corporate lawyer, I gradually rediscovered my first passions for literature and the arts in the world of education. Holder of the French certificate of aptitude for the teaching profession (CAPES), I taught English and French in various capacities at the Lycée Français in Singapore, as well as a librarian. As an expat in Singapore for 12 years, I also had the opportunity to train in art history and guide at the ACM (Asian Civilisations Museum) and the NMS (National Museum of Singapore). I like to integrate the arts into my educational approach and strive to integrate emotional intelligence education in my lessons as well.
When I’m not preparing my lessons, crafts, or reading albums for my classes, I’m usually crafting or reading for myself! You can also meet me in the forest or in museums or art galleries (hanging out with one of my three grown children, or with my whole family !)
Michael Christensen
English Teacher
I began my journey in education in 2007 at Sulsted School In the northern part of Denmark, where I spent 12 years as a teacher. During that time, I developed a deep passion for fostering a positive learning environment. After completing an international diploma in leadership, I transitioned into a leadership role as a school director at Vesterkærets Skole in my hometown of Aalborg, Denmark. I loved being part of a dynamic and ambitious team. I spent six fulfilling years there before taking on the exciting opportunity to work at the amazing Stepping Stones Primary School in Brussels.
Every day, I approach my work with a positive mental attitude, always striving to see the glass as half full. I believe in the power of nurturing every student’s potential and creating an atmosphere where both pupils and colleagues feel valued and inspired.
Outside of school, I have a deep passion for culture, language, traveling, and history. I’ve also been a lifelong football player and am a devoted vinyl record collector. These hobbies bring me joy and help me stay grounded as I continue to grow both personally and professionally.
I am committed to shaping the future of education with energy, dedication, and a strong belief in the potential of every individual.
Minet Bottagisio
French Teacher
After six enriching years at the Lycée Français de Bruxelles as an Individual Special Needs Assistant (AVSi), supporting students with specific needs, I joined Stepping Stones Primary School as a teacher. For the past years, I have been passionately dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the students in this school.
Born and raised in Colombia to French and Italian parents, I grew up in a multicultural environment. I strive to pass on this cultural richness to my own children by introducing them to different countries, their traditions, food, arts, and people.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Marymount University in the Washington D.C. area and have lived in several countries before settling in Brussels in 2008. These experiences have allowed me to develop an open mind and adaptability, which I incorporate into my teaching approach.
I firmly believe that every child is unique and deserves a nurturing, inspiring, and engaging environment in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. As an educator, my goal is to create a stimulating and collaborative learning atmosphere where each student can reach their full potential in a safe and respectful setting.
Stepping Stones provides my students and I with an extraordinary environment in which both students and teachers can flourish!
Victoria McLean
English Teacher
Coming soon
Antoine Verhoest
French Teacher
I am a passionate teacher, driven by energy and a desire to provide my students with an education that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. My numerous travels, including an internship in Quebec, have exposed me to diverse educational approaches and perspectives that enrich my practice. Rather than adhering to a single method, I prefer to draw the best from a variety of pedagogies to offer a balanced and inspiring education. My thesis on multiple intelligences guides my work, as does my mission: to support each child’s personal development and help shape curious, engaged, and autonomous citizens.
Cindy Zang
English Teacher
Trained originally in Commercial Art / Design with a BFA degree from New York, I have travelled and lived in too many countries to mention and have worked in various positions. Arriving with two young children in Belgium, I started to work as an after-school Arts & Crafts instructor at their primary school in 2015 after completing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate course.
In September 2019 I was thrilled join the dynamic and international team at Stepping Stones as an Art Teacher. I have continued my professional development with an introductory training course in Montessori theory and practice, and am currently completing a full Montessori certification course through the North American Montessori Center.
Having been an actively volunteering parent at 5 different international schools in 4 countries in the last 13 years, I was able to see the needs of young children as well as looking at things from the educator’s perspective. My goal as a teacher at Stepping Stones is to instill the joy of learning to set them on the right path for the future with a positive attitude towards school life. In art, we say that there is no right or wrong, only a freedom of personal expression. Through art and language, I will help our little students to express themselves and to celebrate individuality.
It is a tremendous responsibility as a teacher to make an impact during these tender years of preschool and primary. I thank you for trusting us to guide your precious children through this first step of learning and hope that they will enjoy their time with me and my colleagues at Stepping Stones.
Thomas Azam
French Teacher
Coming soon
Ahmed Azam Daimoussi
Physical Education Teacher
I have learned a lot from experience, which has allowed me to develop targeted skills.
For over 25 years, I’ve taught Physical Education at BEPS, at Kid’s Computer Club (Spoken), and at the European School, as well as working with individuals as a personal sports trainer.
I develop my own programmes, tailored to the specific needs of young pre-schoolers, primary school students, and teenagers in secondary school. I am quite enthusiastic, and I encourage my students to develop their self-confidence and to express themselves through sports.
I make a point of helping them learn discipline through sports, while making sure it’s always fun and pleasurable.
As I see it, this is perfectly attuned to the philosophy of Stepping Stones Primary School!
Maria Obolensky
MUSIC & PERFORMING Arts Teacher
Administrative Assistant
I have had a passion for theatre, music, and dance since childhood. The stage has always felt like a second home to me, a place where I have spent a great deal of time. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience performing in various theatres and on different stages, participating in and winning numerous competitions. I was a solo dancer in a Russian master mix ballet company before relocating to the Netherlands.
During my university studies in International Relations, I founded my own dance studio and worked as the HR and event manager for a charitable foundation supporting orphaned children. Additionally, I served as the head of the cultural centre at a university and as a performing arts teacher in a private school. After obtaining my teaching diploma, I began creating theatre productions for children, helping them explore and grow in various art forms. I worked in an IB school in Leiden, where I organised events, developed performances, and encouraged students to express themselves through the performing arts.
Now, I am delighted to be a part of the Stepping Stones team and thoroughly enjoy helping each child discover and develop their artistic potential. I am excited to share my love of music, ballet, and the performing arts with my students, inspiring them to cultivate their talents. Each year, we put on a school show on a large stage, offering students the unforgettable experience of bringing their talents to life and feeling like true actors on a grand stage. “Art is the stored honey of the human soul,” and I firmly believe in its transformative power.
Julie Suykens
School AIde
My name is Julie, and I work as a school assistant here after a two-year training course in education support for elementary schools. I had the opportunity to do an internship at Stepping Stones in 2023-2024, which allowed me to discover this rewarding role and get to know the team, as well as broadening my knowledge of early childhood and primary education (3 to 9 years). I was thrilled to have been subsequently hired as a full-time employee, marking the start of my professional career. Passionate about supporting children, I fully invest myself in my role to provide them with the necessary help for their academic success. I enjoy listening to their needs and helping them overcome any challenges they may face. My goal is to create a caring environment where every student feels confident to progress at their own pace. Working with children is truly fulfilling for me, and I am happy to contribute to their educational journey at Stepping Stones.
Krystina Bychkovskaya
School Assistant
Coming soon