Françoise, an Educator at the Heart of the Emirates

On a morning like so many others in Dubai, Françoise kisses her children before starting her day. It is a ritual she never misses, even in the middle of a packed schedule. A few hours later, she joins another “family”: Axiom Academic, the go-to tutoring agency for expat families, where she serves as educational advisor (and General Manager) for the United Arab Emirates.

A calling born in the classroom

Almost thirty years of teaching have shaped her convictions. “Nothing is ever set in stone,” she confides. She has watched “average” students turn brilliant the moment they got their confidence back. She tells, with real emotion, the story of a little girl from Tunisia who arrived in CE2 (Year 3 of the French system) without a word of French: silent, withdrawn, hurting. A few months later, something clicked. The little girl started participating, kept at it, and finished the year at the top of her class. She even went on to write a book. “A true metamorphosis,” Françoise smiles.

Nothing is ever set in stone

Françoise Sousset Renaut, Country Manager and educational advisor for Axiom Academic in the UAE

An unlikely encounter during Covid

Her story with Axiom Academic began in the most unexpected way. Locked down like everyone else, she was chatting on a Facebook group for teachers. Out of that virtual thread came a very real encounter: with the founders of Axiom Academic. Very quickly, it just felt obvious. Françoise joined the team and became the attentive ear of expat families. “My role is to understand what students need and find the most effective answer. It takes a lot of listening… and sometimes a good dose of diplomacy,” she says with a wink.

Small prides and big surprises

What makes her proudest? Her students’ progress, of course. But also those unexpected moments that spice up her day-to-day. Like that phone call from a teacher just back from a rather unusual lesson: she had just taught the children of a famous French singer. “In this job, you never know whose door you are going to knock on,” Françoise laughs.

A personal interlude

When she is not immersed in her educational missions, Françoise recharges elsewhere. On the beach in Ras Al Khaimah, up in the mountains, or quite simply in her garden. These rare moments she devotes to “doing nothing,” clearing her head, listening to music or reading. On the reading front, she warmly recommends Pascale Toscani, a neuroscience researcher and close friend: “She has written magnificent books on the child’s brain. Nothing is inevitable, everything is movement.”

A word of advice for parents

And if she had to leave the families she supports with just one message? She answers without hesitation: “Trust your children. Be present, but not overbearing.” A mantra that sums up both her vision of education and her own journey as a passionate educator.

📩 Would you like to talk to Françoise?

Based in the Emirates, Françoise supports expat families every day with their children’s schooling. If you would like to reach out for advice or to discuss your family’s needs, you can contact her directly:

• By email: francoise.s@axiom-academic.ae
• By WhatsApp: +971 50 526 2503
• Through our website: via our contact page, whether you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi

She will be delighted to get back to you and point you towards the solution that best fits your family.