Meet Our Head Sébastien Robert

We’re excited to welcome Sébastien Robert as EB’s next Head of School. Read on to learn more about him and his journey!

Where were you born and where did you grow up? How is it different from Berkeley? I was born in Aix Les Bains, a small town in the Alps with 20,000 people. All of the young people knew each other—it was a great community. I used to go skiing every weekend, as the ski resorts were around the corner. There is also one of the most beautiful alpine lakes there, so you get to do aquatic sports during the summer and enjoy the mountains in the winter, a real blessing! Growing up there has shaped me into who I am today: an outdoor enthusiast and mountain lover. How did you get involved in the field of education? Some of my family members were in the education field and I saw how much they enjoyed their work. It seemed to

me that teaching was the most rewarding job be-

cause you learn as much as you teach. Every student is different and over the course of my career, I have enjoyed teaching many different grades and personalities. Being an educator has always been part of me. When I was in the sixth grade, I told my parents that I wanted to be a teacher, an English teacher to be exact, but instead I became a primary teacher since I wanted to be able to teach lots of different subjects. What interests me the most is exploring new ways of teaching, discovering how different methods and practices can positively shape and impact the learning process of students. I love learning as much as I love teaching! What is a hobby you enjoy outside of school? Being outdoors, water skiing, snowboarding. I love spending time with my family exploring new places. California is such a magical state! What’s your favorite thing to cook? Well, being a native of the Alps, I love cheese, especially Reblochon. One of my favorite recipes is tartiflette. Potatoes, bacon, cream and two layers of reblochon: a delicious meal! What are you most excited about for EB’s future? I think EB has a bright future: EB is a gem. Its amazing educators and fantastic curriculum offer a one-of-a-kind learning experience to our students. I am excited about EB being a leader in international education in the East Bay, educating in a unique way. Our world needs more empathetic leaders, and people who can solve complex problems. My goal is to foster a community of belonging, so that everyone feels welcome. I am very proud of our diverse community and I want our students to be able to speak up and share their voices. We are giving them the keys to be agents of change. It is an honor to lead such an institution. Do you have any pets? Yes, we have a cat named Joy. We got her during the pandemic and she is a very sweet cat who loves to cuddle! What was the first job you ever had? When I was 16, I got my boat license and worked at a boat driving school (teaching people to park in a harbor, rescue overboard passengers, etc.). I had that job for almost seven years; it was one of my greatest experiences. I met a diverse group of people, taught adults, and gained a lot of maturity. What does “Belong in the World” mean to you and why does it represent our EB students? When I hear “Belong in the World,” I think of a world without borders. I think of our students being able to work in Asia, in Europe or anywhere on the globe. I see students who understand multiple perspectives, and can communicate with many people on a deep level. To me, it also means recognizing one’s roots—our students are deeply rooted in the Bay Area. Our students’ identities are shaped by experiences in their youth and they will take this strong sense of their early environment wherever they go. An EB education will teach them to be the best version of themselves and reach for their dreams.

If you weren’t an educator, what would you be doing? I would have loved to run a B&B in the Bordeaux region in France. I am a wine enthusiast and love history as well. Welcoming travelers and sharing stories over a good glass of wine, what a dream!