Mr. Jim Fornshell is one of the English department’s most experienced and devoted teachers. He arrived on campus in the fall of 2000. He has also served as a sailing coach for all 23 years of his time at the school. Whether as a teacher, mentor, or colleague, Fornshell has influenced many across campus.
In his final year at the school, Mr. Fornshell is teaching Prep Humanities, Upper Mid English and the Senior elective, “Shakespeare and the Bible.”
Prior to his time at the school, Mr. Fornshell worked at St. James School and Lake Forest Academy, where he served as English teacher and Dean of Academics. His passion for teaching and literature led him to earn a Ed.M. at Harvard University and an MLitt in Shakespeare studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Following his time in Scotland, Mr. Fornshell joined the English department at the school. Mr. Fornshell put his background in Shakespearean studies to work teaching “Shakespeare and the Bible,” an Honors English Elective for Seniors.
Asked about the class, Mr. Fornshell said, “I have loved teaching ‘Shakespeare and the Bible’ for many years now, as it has some of the strongest English students in the school and is dealing with the world’s most powerful literature.”
His colleague, Mr. Charlie Frankenbach, head of the English department, said, “James has been a wonderful advisor to his kids and colleagues. From the English standpoint, he can really strike that balance between being a teacher with high standards and rigorous demands and the openness and friendliness that kids enjoy. They are willing to go for the high bar, and he is willing to support them.”
Ms. Carita Gardiner, instructor in English, agreed, saying, “He was a huge part of creating the Humanities program. His work in the creation, structure, and content of that two-year sequence has had a huge impact on what we teach and how we teach.”
Mr. Fornshell’s students know him as a teacher of exacting standards, continuous inspiration, and enthusiastic engagement in classroom discussions. A student enrolled in his Upper Mid English class said, “Mr. Fornshell has been one of the most inspiring, engaging, and transformative teachers I have ever had. Not only did his Upper Mid English curriculum introduce me to a world of compelling and fundamental literature, but his teaching style and strict writing standards have refined my ability to convey my ideas, take healthy risks, and view the world around me with scrutiny and curiosity. I am thankful for his sarcasm, criticism, and the limitless care for the students he teaches. .”
Mr. Fornshell expressed gratitude for the talented students he has worked with and the wonderful opportunities the school has given him.
When asked what he will miss most about the school, Fornshell said, “All the goofy things the kids do – sliding in the mud on the golf course, sledding, holidays, and all the funny times sitting around the Harkness table in class.”
Mr. Fornshell also values the numerous travel opportunities the school has given him, including a year-long sabbatical in 2009-2010, when he went to cooking school in Italy, studied at Oxford, and traveled to Cairo, Egypt, among other adventures.
Mr. Fornshell plans on moving to his house on Cape Cod and to continue sailing and pursue his love of travel. In particular, he hopes to visit Australia to achieve his goal of traveling to all seven continents.
