Julien Dourlen
PE Teacher & Coach
At WES Since: 2024
What is your teaching philosophy?
When designing a curriculum, my first priority is sparking my students’ interest and curiosity. In my PE classes, I strive to create a diverse curriculum that introduces students to a wide variety of activities they might not encounter outside of school. PE should be a space where everyone feels safe and comfortable to explore new activities, with the potential to embrace them immediately or later in life.
What is the best book you ever read?
The best book I have ever read was The Odyssey when I was 9. I have a vivid memory of reading it because it was the first time I understood what a “page-turner” was. I couldn’t stop reading it and when I had to I couldn’t wait to get back to it!
Bio:
I was born and raised in Northern France and moved to the U.S. when I was 26. My journey working with children began at the age of 15, starting with teaching beginner classes at my Taekwondo club and later working at summer camps. When it came time to choose a career, teaching felt like a natural path, following in the footsteps of several family members. Alongside my love for sports, I’ve always been passionate about arts and crafts. This led me to a career in teaching sports while also pursuing my interests as an author and illustrator. I self-published my first children’s book last year and am currently working on new projects!
