Our Team

Boris Catelin
STEM – French

ENGLEWOOD, NJ - JERSEY CITY, NJ

Boris was born and raised in Lyon, where he studied Geography and French as a Foreign Language (FLE) at university. He then attended the IUFM (University Institute for Teacher Training) in Lyon to become an elementary school teacher. After working in Lyon, he took two trips around the world with his wife and son before moving to Haute-Savoie. Following the birth of two daughters and enjoying life in the mountains, Boris taught in California for three years before joining the FAA in Jersey City in 2020. He loves art and music, cooking, traveling, and engaging in outdoor sports like surfing, mountain biking, and skiing.

Spotlight

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and specifically a Coding & STEM teacher?
The main reason I became a teacher is my desire to share knowledge. It’s incredibly rewarding to feel like you’ve taught someone something new, regardless of students’ age. I chose to work with younger children because we spend more time together, and beyond teaching, a real connection is formed.

Q: What do you appreciate most about working at the French American Academy?
What I appreciate most is the bilingual environment we offer. It’s very enriching for everyone: children, teachers, and staff. I think it’s a unique opportunity that truly sets us apart. I also value the ability to work with small class sizes, as this allows us to give each child the attention they deserve.

Q: What’s your favorite project or activity you’ve done with students this year?
There aren’t any specific projects per se, but I enjoy offering real-life situations that give meaning to what children learn. For instance, when the kids use robots to explore geometry concepts.

Q: How do you encourage students to overcome the challenges they face while coding or building STEM projects?
STEM projects encourage children to progress by trying new things, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. This interesting approach helps them develop skills and resilience that extend far beyond the STEM classroom.

Q: How do you approach teaching Coding & STEM to such a wide range of ages, from Kindergarten to Middle School?
STEM courses help develop logical thinking, which benefits many other subjects taught at school. Starting in Kindergarten with fairly simple projects allows children to build skills gradually over the years. By middle school, the projects become more complex and truly cross-curricular.

Q: What’s one lesson you hope every student walks away with after taking your class or remembers most about your class?

It is more than a lesson. It is a strength called perseverance.

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