James is a twenty one-year veteran of independent school education and has served as Head of School at Episcopal since 2021. He arrived in Nashville from St. John’s Episcopal School in Rancho Margarita, California where he served as Middle Division Principal and Associate Head of School for Innovation for the PK through Grade 8 school.

James grew up in the north of England, viewed himself as an athlete only, and left school early to pursue a professional soccer career. A severe injury forced him to reconsider his chosen career. Unexpectedly he was offered a scholarship to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, which he accepted. Realizing the dramatic culture change, he majored in African American Studies and American History. Upon graduation, James served for nine years as a history and economics teacher and soccer coach at Stratford Academy. He moved to the Kinkaid School in Houston Texas for three years as Middle School Assistant Head where he coordinated the department chairs’ work and instituted a weekly communication to parents, faculty, and students.

From there he moved to St. John’s as Middle Division Principal and Associate Head for Innovation. His duties included aligning the school’s programming and resources to a STEAM approach to teaching and learning, increasing enrollment, and creating opportunities for feedback. He spearheaded their recent capital campaign, which transformed the learning spaces on campus. Along the way, James earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the George Washington University.

James loves to learn, travel, and explore Nashville’s amazing restaurant scene. He and his rescue cat, Biggles, continue to be avid soccer fans.