Celine Haller

Céline Haller, a dedicated and innovative educator, has devoted her life to teaching with an unwavering determination to uplift her students, transform education, and foster community resilience. Her journey into teaching stemmed from an enduring passion, evident even at the age of 10 when she taught her younger sister to read. Despite her father’s aspirations for her to pursue a legal career, Céline followed her calling, earning both a Master’s degree in private law and a teaching qualification before dedicating herself fully to education. 

Teaching at a school classified under the "Reinforced Priority Education Network" (REP+), Céline works in an environment marked by profound social and economic challenges. Many of her students face violence, poverty, language barriers, and unstable family situations. Despite these obstacles, Céline’s commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating environment for her students has led to remarkable successes. 

Central to Céline’s impact is her groundbreaking "Breakfast in Class" project. This initiative, designed to address health, well-being, and educational disparities, involves students organizing twice-weekly breakfasts for the entire school. Beyond ensuring that every child starts their day with a nutritious meal, the project integrates transversal teaching methods to develop critical skills such as budgeting, collaboration, and environmental consciousness. Students learn to evaluate the carbon footprint of their meals, practice waste sorting, and adopt sustainable habits, linking these activities to broader concepts of global citizenship and environmental stewardship. 

Céline’s pedagogy is rooted in explicit, spiral, and hands-on teaching approaches. She employs flexible classroom setups, gamified learning, and group activities to foster autonomy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Her innovative methods include teaching fractions through chocolate-sharing exercises or geography through the journey of a kiwi fruit. Céline's students thrive in an environment where mistakes are opportunities for growth, and challenges become stepping stones to personal and academic development. 

Her dedication extends far beyond the classroom. Céline has published educational books, developed eco-citizen resources, and conducted training for teachers across France. She has collaborated with organizations such as the UNIRES network and the French Ministry of Education to promote sustainable education practices. Her breakfast project has gained national recognition and is supported by the French government’s "Plan Pauvreté" initiative, benefiting schools across the country. 

Céline’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. Her exceptional teaching practices have earned her academic acclaim, an "Excellent" evaluation in her most recent inspection, and the Mental Health Innovation Award. However, she regards the true measure of her success as the trust and joy of her students and their families. Parents frequently express their gratitude, noting the profound impact Céline has on their children’s lives, while former students often return to share their success stories. 

Through her tireless efforts, Céline has redefined what it means to be an educator. She exemplifies how teachers can empower students to navigate their challenges, understand the world, and become responsible global citizens. Céline Haller’s journey reflects the transformative power of education and stands as an inspiring testament to the critical role of teachers in shaping a better future.