Our team
Virginie Butin
Founder – Owner – CEO
Passionate about children since my teenage years, I served as an au pair for two consecutive years. With a degree in Business Management and over 20 years of professional experience, including a decade in civil service advocating for civic values and democratic principles, I am committed to fostering a better society and world for future generations.
When my daughter was born in 2013, I felt a profound desire to focus on what matters most: childhood—the very essence of life. This led me to prioritize her development, education, and well-being. As I delved into alternative pedagogies, I gravitated towards Montessori principles to align with my aspirations for guiding my child’s natural growth. Determined to redefine my priorities around the education of children, who inspire me with boundless energy and enthusiasm, I pursued training as a certified Montessori teacher.
As my daughter approached school age, I embarked on the ambitious journey of opening my own Montessori school. Undertaking training on successful school management, I obtained director credentials. Through research, reflection, and consultations with parents, I nurtured this ambitious idea, culminating in the creation of the first bilingual (French/English) Montessori school in Metz, Lorraine (France), in 2016. Initially comprising a single mixed-age primary (2.5-6 years old) classroom, the school soon expanded to accommodate an elementary age group (6-12 years old), with 65 children and 10 Montessori professionals by the 2018-2019 academic year.
Driven by a deep conviction in the importance of multilingualism and the imperative of broadening children’s horizons, I embarked on a new chapter by establishing a trilingual Montessori school in the United States. This endeavor aims to foster a unique partnership between the schools, facilitating educator and student exchanges to enrich bilingual immersion experiences.
This effort culminated in the establishment of the inaugural trilingual Montessori school in Tampa Bay in January 2019: De la Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School Seminole. Building upon the success of the Seminole campus, we were delighted to launch a second location in St. Petersburg in January 2022. As of 2024, De La Fontaine schools proudly serve nearly 200 students and boast a dedicated team of 35 enthusiastic educators!
Our amazing DLF team!
