Our Team

Guillaume Gilbert
4th & 5th Grade – French

ENGLEWOOD, NJ

Guillaume is excited to teach 4th and 5th grade at the Englewood campus. He has taught for 17 years in France and lived in the south of France. Before coming to New Jersey, he lived 5 years on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean. Guillaume is very passionate about traveling and experiencing new countries, and he is also passionate about sports, particularly soccer and Formula 1.

Spotlight

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and what do you love most about teaching?

A: As a child, I wasn’t particularly passionate about school, but everything changed thanks to a teacher. Through his kindness, sense of humor, and the relationship he built with each of us, he made us feel unique, important, and supported. This experience was pivotal for me and inspired me to become a teacher. Today, what motivates me is creating an environment where each student can both learn and grow personally. I want to offer my students that same sense of support and recognition, so they can unlock their full potential.

 

Q: What’s your favorite project or activity you’ve done with students?

A: I particularly enjoy math and physical education, as well as all the projects related to them in general. However, what I love most is when a project or activity captures the enthusiasm of everyone. This year, for example, we are going to use the concepts of ratios learned in our unit on proportionality to model football goals at scale. The goal is to imagine, conceptualize, and then create a model of what we would like, eventually building it full-size so we can play with it! There’s no doubt that this activity will be one of my favorites, as the students are already very motivated…

 

Q: What’s a memorable moment you’ve had with your students in the classroom?

A: This year, we worked in literature on investigations, whether through short readings or a full-length work. We then focused on writing short stories and investigations, making it the theme of our parent breakfast, where a student named Ivy had disappeared. One morning, my students staged Ivy’s return: a balloon and a mask as her head, a shirt and a t-shirt on a hanger with pants. It was a coordinated and prepared action, much to our delight!

 

Q: How has your experience teaching in France influenced your teaching style here in New Jersey?

A: I feel like my two and a half years here have influenced my teaching more than my time in France. My experience in France provided me with rigor and structure, particularly in classroom management, as well as adaptability when faced with diverse levels and challenges. These skills have been incredibly useful in adapting my teaching approach to the various innovative projects and technologies offered here at FAA.

 

Q: What advice would you give to your students?

A: Never stop believing in yourself; every mistake inevitably brings you closer to success.

 

Q: What do you appreciate most about working at the French American Academy?

A: We are fortunate to work with small class sizes, which allows us to give personalized attention to each student. Additionally, we have access to technological resources that are unmatched compared to my past experiences. Above all, what I truly appreciate is the trusting relationship we have with the families, who are genuinely supportive of the educational community.

 

Q: You’re passionate about travel. What’s one of the most interesting places you’ve visited?

A: I fell in love with the United States and the American West during a trip with my parents in 1994. I was captivated by the richness and diversity of the landscapes, from the arid Death Valley to the grandeur of Yosemite and the vastness of the Grand Canyon. Coming from a tropical island, I particularly enjoyed a brief stay in Hawaii, where history and nature blended beautifully. I’d love to share this part of the world with my children and explore it even further.
To be honest, I believe I am in the right place to continue exploring this beautiful country.

 

Q: What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?

A: I hate losing, so I can be in a very bad mood if I don’t win!

 

Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what do you think you’d be doing?

A: The plan was to become an airline pilot, explore the world, and live life at full speed!

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