Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and what do you love most about teaching?
Teaching was not my first job. I used to be an actor, dancer, and theater director, then an administrator as a lawyer and economist for many cultural institutions such as theaters and festivals. At one point in my life, I had to make a change, and teaching felt like a meaningful profession. I love seeing my students grow, helping them understand the world around them, and supporting them as they develop their own critical thinking.

Q: What’s your favorite project or activity you’ve done with students?
I have done so many projects and activities that it is hard to choose just one. One of the biggest projects I worked on with students was creating a movie to present a profession. We prepared interviews, wrote a storyboard, and filmed an entire movie showing the daily life of people working in a construction firm. This project was done with students who wanted to leave school at age 14 and needed a new goal to continue their education.

Q: Can you tell us about French Theater Festival and the skills or values you hope students carry with them after the project ends?
I love doing theater projects with my classes. Last year, participating in the Lycée Français theater contest was an amazing experience. It allowed me to strengthen my relationship with my students and gave them a way to express themselves that is different from the classroom setting. I believe they loved it as well. They learned about theater, such as the names of different parts of the stage, but more importantly, they learned how to be part of something bigger than themselves. They learned how to do their part not for personal success, but for the good of the group.

Q: How do you structure and guide bilingual projects to support students across different grade levels?
When I joined the FAA last year, it was the first time I taught in a bilingual classroom. I had previously taught bilingual students, but bilingualism was not a core part of my instruction. Fortunately, Courtney Karam was a wonderful partner, and I learned so much from her. She had extensive experience with bilingual classes and shared many helpful tips. Together, we adapted the FAA bilingual curriculum to give me more space to bring in my background in literature and linguistics. We chose topics for each grade level that allow students to reflect deeply on literature, history, and sociology in both languages.

Q: How has your experience teaching in France influenced your teaching style here in New Jersey?
When I was teaching in France, I worked a little in middle schools but mostly in high schools. I taught about five classes of 35 students each year, roughly 155 students annually. I had to prepare them for the Baccalauréat, the French national exam at the end of high school, which is very demanding. By the end of the year, I realized that I did not truly know most of my students, and that did not align with my vision of education. When I arrived here, I wanted to do the exact opposite: spend time with my students, listen to them, talk with them, and support their individual growth. I still follow the French curriculum, but now I approach it in a more meaningful and human way.

Q: What do you appreciate most about teaching at the French American Academy?
The FAA has given me a wonderful opportunity to teach the way I believe in. I can have books in my classroom, a rug where I sit with students to read together, and small class sizes, which is something every teacher dreams of.

Q: What advice would you give to your students?
Never stop learning. Many adults believe they already know enough, and they stop learning. This is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make. We can learn at any age, from any source, and from anyone. To do this, we must remain kind, respectful, and open minded. Being a good person requires effort, but it is the most important thing you can do in life.

Q: What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
Many people assume teachers were good students, but I was not. I was smart enough to get good grades without much effort, but my behavior was not great. I only truly understood the purpose of school later and became a good student around the age of 20.
If you prefer a more positive fun fact, one of my physical education teachers from sixth grade later became one of my colleagues when I became an adult.

Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what do you think you’d be doing?
I have already had several different jobs, and I do not think I will remain a teacher for my entire life. I have many ideas for other paths I could take, such as becoming a physical therapist, herbalist, or cook. There are so many possibilities.

Q: What’s one lesson you hope every student walks away with or remembers most about your class?
It will be hard, and I will have to work a lot, but I can do it. And I am not alone. Many people have thought about this before me, and I can build on their work to go even deeper.