Q: What inspired you to become a teacher, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?

Many young children dream of becoming a veterinarian, a hairdresser, or a doctor… but not me. I always said I wanted to become a teacher! I have always loved learning, sharing, and passing on knowledge. In elementary school, I was a very good student, and I was lucky to have wonderful teachers. I think they only strengthened and confirmed my desire to become one myself.

Q: What do you love most about teaching at the French American Academy?

Teaching at the French American Academy is very different from what I experienced in public schools in France at the beginning of my career. What I love most here is the small class sizes. They allow me to truly be present and available for each of my students. I’m grateful that I can take the time to support those who need extra help, celebrate every success, and be a caring and attentive listener for each student.

Q: What’s one lesson or value you hope every student carries with them from your class?

“Make it happen” is a life philosophy that guides me every day. Above all, I hope my students leave my classroom with confidence in themselves and belief in their abilities. I want them to understand that their efforts matter, that challenges are part of the journey, and that mistakes help them grow. With patience, persistence, and determination, they have the power to shape their own success and make things happen for themselves.

Q: Can you tell us about the Explorer Project and how it brought new energy to your classroom this year, especially in creating a truly international learning environment?

Since the beginning of the school year, a mysterious explorer named Eliott has been sending letters to my class, giving students exciting challenges. A few months ago, we received his travel journal and a letter asking us to become his voice and share his adventures. Their surprise and excitement were unforgettable!

Through his journal, we explored diary writing, worked on reading comprehension, and discovered cultures around the world and the Seven New Wonders. Students transformed their learning into bilingual podcasts and built 3D models to bring the wonders to life.

This long-term project has truly created an international learning environment in our classroom, fully aligned with the French American Academy’s mission to open students’ minds to the world and to diversity. Along the way, they collaborate, think critically, and communicate in both languages, developing skills across subjects, often without even realizing how much they are learning. Their engagement makes the learning natural, meaningful, and authentic.

I can’t wait to see them proudly present their work to the parents and our school community.

Q: How does it make you feel when your students are doing the podcast, reading the explorer’s letters, and seeing it flourish through the 3D models of the 7 Wonders of the World?

I feel incredibly proud of them… and of me! Seeing my students read Eliott’s letters with excitement, record their podcasts, and bring the Seven Wonders to life is truly special. Watching their curiosity grow makes all the work meaningful.

I am naturally very adventurous myself. I love traveling and discovering the world, its treasures, and its hidden stories. I hope that through this project, I can pass on that sense of wonder and inspire them to explore these rich and diverse cultures one day.

Last year, after we had already studied the continents and the wonders of the world, I received a message from a parent during the summer. She wrote, “You want a funny story? Agathe asked us to visit a Wonder of the World this summer… so we’re going to see the Colosseum! I think you gave them the taste for travel.” For me, that was everything. It meant the project had gone beyond the classroom and truly sparked something lasting.

Q: How has your experience teaching in France influenced your teaching approach here in the U.S., and what strengths do you feel it brings to your students at the French American Academy?

While teaching in France, I worked in PK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade, where hands-on learning workshops were central to my practice. I have always believed in learning through exploration and active engagement. Although I was interested in flexible classroom models, larger class sizes and limited resources made their full implementation difficult.

At the French American Academy, I was able to expand this vision by developing a flexible classroom with a structured “plan de travail” and an intentional setup that supports movement and individual needs. I am also currently implementing cooperative learning practices to encourage collaboration and peer support in the classroom. These approaches empower students to become active participants in their learning, to progress at their own pace, to build autonomy, and to support one another. 

My experience in France gave me strong foundations, and my experience here has allowed me to innovate and create a more student-centered environment. Together, they bring balance, flexibility, and depth to my classroom.

Q: What’s a memorable moment you’ve had with your students recently?

What comes to mind isn’t one specific group moment, but rather many similar ones. It’s those moments when my students proudly show me their work on a skill that took them time, effort, and patience to master, and this time, they finally get it right. The smiles on their faces, the spark in their eyes, the joyful “I did it!”, those moments are truly unforgettable for me.

Q: What’s something your students or colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m not a very secretive person, so this question isn’t easy! Most people know me as someone who loves traveling and is always looking for movement and new adventures. However, before moving to Jersey City four years ago, I had never even set foot in the United States. In fact, I had never left Europe or taken a long flight.

Coming here was my very first real journey into the unknown, the first time I truly stepped outside of my comfort zone. In many ways, that experience shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally.

Q: What’s a hobby or interest you enjoy outside the classroom?

I’m someone who loves taking on challenges of all kinds. I tend to turn them into full hobbies until I accomplish them… and then I move on to the next one! (Very “make it happen,” right?). Recently, I’ve climbed an active volcano, completed the New York City Marathon, traveled across 9 European countries by train, and earned my scuba diving certification, among other adventures. I love pushing my limits and discovering what I’m capable of, and I hope that mindset inspires my students as well.