Meet Rachèle DeMeo

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachèle DeMeo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachèle below.

Rachèle, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding my purpose has been a beautiful blend of passion, personal experience, and a deep desire to serve others. I’ve always loved helping people—it’s at the core of who I am. Teaching, for me, is more than a profession; it’s a calling that prepares you for everything in life. It teaches patience, creativity, adaptability, and most importantly, how to connect with others. Growing up bilingual in a richly multicultural family, I was constantly immersed in different ways of seeing and experiencing the world. This sparked my love for languages and cultures very early on and led me to believe that communication is the heart of understanding others—and ourselves.

Then, beyond my studies, for over 15 years, I had the joy of teaching students of all ages, especially at the college level, following years of teaching middle and high school. Today, I’m the director of a French school, FLAM San Diego, and I feel so honored to help others—kids, teens, and adults—learn how to express themselves in another language. It’s not just about speaking differently; it’s about thinking, feeling, and connecting differently, too. I truly believe everyone can learn—we just have to find how. That’s where the magic of teaching happens. If you’re still searching for your purpose, keep leaning into what brings you joy and how you can serve others through it. Your unique path has meaning, and the world needs your voice—whether in your own language or another!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As the founder and director of FLAM San Diego, a French school for children of francophone and bilingual families, I’ve dedicated my life to creating meaningful, immersive language experiences that go far beyond the classroom. After teaching for over 15 years—especially at the college level, but also with middle and high school students—I felt called to create something unique that combined my passion for languages, cultures, and education. I grew up bilingual in a multicultural family, so helping others communicate across languages and cultures is not only natural for me, it’s deeply fulfilling. What I love most is watching students—both kids and adults—grow in confidence as they learn to express themselves in an entirely new cultural lens. That’s the magic of language learning: it’s not just about speaking, it’s about connecting.

What makes FLAM San Diego so special is the community we’ve built. We offer French classes on multiple sites in Southern California (and online!), host cultural events, and create an environment where kids feel proud of their heritage. We also partner with families and schools to promote multilingualism and multicultural understanding. Recently, we’ve been expanding our extracurricular offerings, hosting creative weekend events (think arts, sports, and dance—all in French!). I always say I think outside the box—and I truly believe every child can learn. It’s up to us as educators to find the key. And that’s what drives me every day: opening doors for others through language, culture, and human connection.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been absolutely essential in my journey: 1) determination, 2) resilience, and a 3) willingness to give—without always counting the hours. Building FLAM San Diego from the ground up, especially after leaving a decade of a fulfilling college teaching career, was not an easy decision. It required stepping into the unknown, staying grounded in my “why,” and being ready to adapt at every turn. There were (and still are!) long days, countless hours, and moments of doubt—but the joy of seeing our students grow and thrive makes every challenge worth it.

To anyone just starting out: stay determined. Your passion is your fuel, but it’s your persistence that will carry you through. Resilience is a muscle—life and work will test you, but those tests shape your strength and clarity. And finally, be generous—with your time, your talents, and your heart. Some of the most meaningful and impactful work I’ve done has come from unpaid hours, late nights, and quiet moments of service that no one sees. Keep your eyes on the impact, not just the outcome. Build community, stay curious, and never stop learning.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely—we’re always looking to connect with passionate, like-minded individuals and organizations who share our vision! FLAM San Diego is a non-profit French school committed to serving bilingual and francophone families, and we’re in an exciting season of growth. As we expand our programs and reach, we’re actively seeking dedicated French teachers to join our team, as well as sponsors and partners who can help us provide scholarships, launch new educational initiatives, and offer even more enriching experiences for our students and their families.

Whether you’re an educator, a business, a cultural organization, or someone who simply values multilingual education and community, we’d love to connect with you. Collaborations can take many forms—from leading cultural workshops to donating resources to sponsoring programs that make language learning more accessible. If this speaks to you, please reach out! You can contact us through our website at www.flamsandiego.com or email us directly at Rachele@FLAMSanDiego.com.

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Antoine Didienne

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