Leadership Team
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Meet the Senior Leadership Team at ICS Côte d’Azur
The Senior Leadership Team at ICS Côte d’Azur brings together a rich mix of international experience and a deep understanding of bilingual education. Working across both English and French, our leaders collaborate to create a nurturing, innovative, and inclusive environment for children in Preschool and Primary. With diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to excellence, they guide our school community with vision, care, and a global outlook.
Gina Bianchi, Head of ICS Côte d'Azur Bilingual School
I was born in the United States and have always been passionate about education, languages, and the connections they create across cultures. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Marquette University in Milwaukee, followed by a Diploma in Advanced French Studies at Université Rennes II in France. I later earned my teaching license in Early Childhood through Early Adolescence Education from the Milwaukee Teachers Education Center. Building on this foundation, I completed a Master’s Degree in Education—Administration and Supervision—at National Louis University, where I also obtained my licenses as Director of Instruction and School Principal.
My career began in social work, where I developed a strong commitment to supporting children and families. I later moved into education, first as an English Teaching Assistant at Collège Louis Pasteur in St. Lô, France. Then I moved back to the US, where I spent five years as a 1st Grade Teacher at Milwaukee French Immersion School before becoming Principal at the same school for eight years. I then continued my leadership journey in New Orleans, serving as Principal at the Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans for three years.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive several honours. These include being named a Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques by the French Ministry of Education, receiving an Award and Citation from the State Assembly of Wisconsin for Excellence in Leadership, and being recognised as Administrator of the Year by the National Parent Teacher Association. I have also had the opportunity to share my expertise as a presenter at the National City Schools Conference on Best Practices in Language Immersion.
Outside of school, I enjoy hiking and discovering new cultures, especially the humour and insight that come from language and cultural differences.
Morgane Scherlen
Head of Early Years and Safeguarding
I was born in France and grew up moving between Colmar, Nîmes, Dijon, Nancy, and Paris. I studied Language Sciences with a specialisation in French as a Foreign Language (Université de Nancy 2), followed by a Master MEEF at Université Paris-Sorbonne, and later earned a certification in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (DYS, ADHD).
During my studies I worked as a French tutor at university and in retail, and later held a variety of roles abroad — from waitress, fruit picker, and barista to FLE tutor in New Zealand. My career has since included working as a bookseller specialising in children’s literature, substitute teacher and then classroom teacher in New Caledonia, bilingual and international school teacher, specialist teacher supporting students with additional needs (DYS, ADHD, ASD), and now Head of Early Years and Safeguarding.
Beyond teaching, I love new experiences. At 17, I joined a cultural trip across Mali, bringing African films and animations to villages without electricity. I also played competitive tennis for ten years and once appeared on a general knowledge television quiz show — though I was eliminated in the first round, so I’m still waiting for my rematch!
Janet Goswell
IB Primary Years Programme Coordinator, PY6 English Teacher
I was born in Durham in the north east of England, though I moved frequently as my father was an Army Medic. My career path has been varied, from working as a systems trainer for an insurance company and as a PA to a Financial Director in London, to finding my passion for education while volunteering in my children’s school.
Encouraged by the Headteacher, I studied for a BA (Hons) in Teaching at Lancaster University part-time over seven years, all while working in a village primary school in Cheshire as an HLTA (higher level teaching assistant) - teaching French to Reception through to Year 6 and supporting children with SEN in class and in small groups - before moving into teaching. I have been the IB PYP Coordinator at ICS for 4 years.
Outside of school, I love to cook and have passed this passion on to my two children. My daughter lives in London and studies at Prue Leith’s Cookery School, while my son is a digital content creator and photographer for ski resorts around the world, dividing his time between Japan, New Zealand, and Tasmania.
Gabrielle Dinocourt
STEAM Coordinator, FLE Teacher
I grew up in Nice, where I completed my schooling before earning a degree in Tourism and later a Master’s in French as a Foreign Language (FLE). My career has been shaped by a love of languages and travel, which has allowed me to live and work in many different countries and contexts.
I began by working in the tourism and hospitality sector, including roles at the Nice Tourist Office and in a hotel in Rome, before dedicating myself fully to teaching. I have taught French across a wide range of settings: in secondary schools in Manchester as a French Assistant, at EF Nice, at the University of Tartu in Estonia, in a French immersion school in Minneapolis, and at the Alliance Française in Macao. These experiences have given me the chance to share French language and culture with students of all ages, from young learners to university students, in both Europe, Asia, and North America.
Beyond the classroom, I enjoy creative and outdoor pursuits. Sewing is a favourite way to relax, while reading and hiking allow me to recharge and find inspiration.
Emily Bateman
SEN and FLE/EAL Coordinator
I grew up between Scotland, Norway, and France (Toulouse and Nice), attending international schools along the way. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Speech Pathology and Therapy, graduating with first-class honours. I completed my dissertation on phonological awareness skills in sequential and simultaneous bilingual (French-English) children — a perfect foundation for my current role.
My career has taken me from teaching English to children in France, to working as a Speech and Language Therapist with the NHS in the UK, supporting preschool and school-aged children. I later opened a private practice in France, specialising in multilingual populations and working with both children and adults. I hold official authorisation to practise in France as an Orthophoniste, having completed the rigorous equivalence process. I have also worked as Administration and Events Coordinator for the European Cystic Fibrosis Society.
Outside of work, I am a three-time marathon runner and enjoy competing in Hyrox events. My favourite moments are spent in the mountains with my family, skiing, hiking, or biking, often with my dog by my side.