Centerpoint School District would like to Spotlight: Mr. Joshua James!
Mr. James teaches English, leads Centerpoint’s yearbook team, and was named co-Educator of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. James has always made a connection with Centerpoint students. A student recently wrote a thank you note to Mr. James saying: “I look up to you immensely and, genuinely, you are my favorite teacher. You’ve helped me on multiple occasions, both with school work and home problems. You’ve pushed me this year to try harder and I’m really happy that I’ve gotten to be able to have you as a teacher, Mr. James. You and your family are strong... I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, it truly means so much that you’re there for me, and all of your students as well. I’ll never forget the lessons you’ve taught me, both in school and in life… I look up to you a LOT! And you truly have had a huge impact on my life. Thank you, Mr. James.”
Get to know Mr. James!
Mr. James, tell us about your family/pets:
“Kirsten James is my wife. She's an accountant who manages the billing for Kidsource Therapy. Tucker is my son. He's three years old, adorable, stubborn, and brilliant.”
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
“I'm a writer. I've edited some magazines, written several articles, and wrote a collection of horror stories for my master's thesis. This summer, my first short story was published in Gabba Gabba Hey: A Collection of Fiction Inspired by The Ramones." I'm currently writing a YA thriller novel.”
What is a skill you would have loved to learn but haven't had the time to?
“Play the banjo.”
What do you love to do in your free time:
“Ride my bicycle, read books, watch scary movies.”
Who is your hero?
“Kurt Vonnegut.”
What is your favorite thing about teaching? at CHS?
“I don't know how to answer this without being cheesy. My favorite thing is hard to describe. It's a moment. The moment when a young person gets a concept that they've found difficult to grasp. The moment a kid realizes they have a talent. The moment a kid understands they're worth something, that they're not to blame for something they blamed themselves for, that they are the ones in charge of their own destiny. The moment a kid realizes they're not the center of the universe, and even more important, the moment they realize they're not alone in the universe.”
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
“Travel with my family.”
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
“Jason Momoa, obviously.”
Do you collect anything?
“Experiences.”
What High School did you attend?
“Fountain Lake”
What degrees do you hold?
“Master of Liberal Arts; Bachelor of Arts. I majored in history/social sciences and minored in English for both degrees.”
What is your favorite book to read?
“Slaughterhouse-Five”
What are you most passionate about?
“The gift of stories and the freedom of speech that allows us access to it.”
Mr. James, your students, fellow staff, and peers celebrate you and thank you for your commitment to our community's students. You deserve the Spotlight!
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