INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: James Grosshans, Foundation Academy

After being in the classroom for 17 years, James Grosshans will be the new assistant principal at Foundation Academy’s Tilden Campus. 

As the assistant principal, Grosshans said he ill be mostly working with teachers to ensure they have everything they need to be successful. 

Grosshans, aka Mr. G, has completed his masters degree in reading education from the University of Central Florida and is “best known for building purposeful relationships with students, parents and colleagues,” according to school officials.

What brought you to your school?

Long story short, I was at another private school before I came to FA. That school's leadership started making some decisions that I did not agree with which made it hard for me to trust them. I had a former coworker who had moved to FA two years before to become principal. She and I began having conversations during the end of my final year at my previous school, and it was abundantly clear that the leadership at FA was one that I could trust to honor the principles that they said they adhere to.

What do you love most about your school?

The students. Easy. Being able to connect with them, see them develop, have conversations with them, see them start to become the people they will eventually be. Those are the things that keep us going. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Again, it is the students. When they see you out in public or when they come back and visit when they are no longer in your class or at the school, those moments are the perfect reminders of why you do what you do. Subject matter is important, and I love when you start to see things click with them, but when they are stuck seeing you every day for a year and they still want to come back… that is truly a joy.

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

I love soccer, and I love analyzing how teams play and what a team could do to try to improve. I think it would have been a lot of fun to be a video analyzer for a team. I wouldn’t want to be the head coach, but one that gets to work with players individually to work on their game and to help them prepare for their next one. 

Who influences you?

I have been fortunate enough to have so many incredible influences throughout my career. My parents have always been important to me. My mom was in education for nearly 50 years and my father was one who supported my siblings and I in any endeavor that we chose, as long as we strove to be the best we possibly could at it. At my previous school, I also had a principal (Luci Higgins) who was absolutely incredible. Her views on students and education have shaped me more than any class or textbook. Finally, my principal at FA, Sarah Reynolds, has been an absolute joy to work with as well. Her positivity and her joy/humor despite the situation makes coming to work significantly easier and more fun.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

I was blessed to have a number of really wonderful teachers growing up. The one I attribute a lot of who I was in the classroom to though was my 12th grade ELA teacher Mrs. Graham. She was the teacher that would make you work your butt off, but you were having fun the entire time.

What is your favorite book and why?

“Frankenstein”! I love the commentary on humanity that it has. I love the story behind how and why Mary Shelley wrote it. I love the character development. I love the way you read the entire book and even when it is all said and done, you still do not know who the protagonist and the antagonist are. The themes of the dangers of playing God and the longing to be understood/known/loved are done in such a way that it still impacts readers so deeply more than a century after it was written.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My family and I love getting out and into nature. We have been slowly checking off as many national parks as we can. Mountains are our happy place!

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

I have two… and they are very, very opposite people. One would be Edgar Allan Poe, who in my opinion is the most influential and most talented American author of all time. The other is Mother Teresa. I have always been so impressed/inspired at how she was able to live a life so devoted to loving God and others so deeply.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Probably invisibility. I am an extreme introvert, so the ability to just disappear for a little bit sounds so incredible some days. Not necessarily as exciting as some other powers, I know, but hey, if it lets me get away, recharge and get back in, that sounds wonderful.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?

If I get to choose, it would be Myles Smith, Olivia Dean and Louis Armstrong. However, my daughter, Brooklyn, basically ensures we listen to K-Pop Demon Hunters or Forrest Frank on repeat. 

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. The lights, the gifts, the music, the general joy and most importantly, the celebration/remembrance of Jesus choosing to leave Heaven to be with us. International Sandwich Day (Nov. 3) is also pretty spectacular as well. Why? Because who doesn’t love a good sandwich?

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

Michael Harrison. We were in school together starting in sixth grade. He was someone I could be myself around, someone I could trust, someone who pushed me to be better and someone that I was always laughing and having a good time around. We still do keep in touch. He moved to Massachusetts, but we go see him or they come back down and see us two to three times per year probably. 

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I did a lot growing up. I ran cross-country, played soccer, ran track (800 meters, high jump, 300 hurdles and 4x800), kicked for the football team, was in a number of our high school plays, (and) was in Best Buddies Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Student Government Association, and anything else that I could sign up for to keep me out of trouble. Track is where I had most of my accolades, still have a lot of the ribbons, so I can remind my son how much faster than him I was and still am. 

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I had to ask my wife this question. She was pretty quick to say that it is that I love to bake. It was actually one of the things that helped win her over. Before we started dating, she was hosting a party; on my way to one of my college classes, I stopped by her place and dropped off two tarts I had made from scratch for her to have at the party. She still makes me make them for her every once in a while.