James A. Freeman, Ph.D.

Headmaster

Ayres Hall 341
(210) 564-6110
j.freeman@tmi-sa.org

TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas is headed by James A. Freeman, Ph.D., a regional and national leader among Episcopal educators who continues to spend time with students in the classroom.

In the fall of 2004, a search committee appointed by the Board of Governors selected Dr. Freeman, Ph.D., to be TMI’s next headmaster. Composed of chairman Stephen E. Walker, fellow governors Tom C. Frost, Jr., TMI class of 1945, Charles E. Thompson, Jr. ’48 and the Rev. Dr. Clifford S. Waller, along with alumnus Ernest L. Brown IV ’80, parent Dirk Mosis, and faculty members Kay Parke and Courtney Duke, the committee spent many hours interviewing candidates and were unanimous in their recommendation of Jim Freeman as TMI’s new headmaster.

Dr. Freeman was born in 1952 and grew up in Dallas, Texas. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Classical Greek at Sewanee: The University of the South, he obtained an M.A. in Classics from the University of Texas. Dr. Freeman earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Rice University. His 1990 doctoral dissertation won the prestigious John W. Gardner award for best dissertation in the Social Sciences and Humanities at Rice University.

Prior to coming to St. Thomas’ Episcopal in 1978, Dr. Freeman taught courses in Latin, Greek, and English at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He began his Episcopal school career at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School in Houston, Texas, in 1980 as chairman of the department of Latin and Greek, the largest academic department in the school. Dr. Freeman also was a guest lecturer at several churches in Houston on various Biblical topics and has led several tours to Greece.

“I had never thought of leaving Houston until the opportunity of coming to TMI unexpectedly presented itself,” said Dr. Freeman. “Upon my first visit, I was showered with hospitality and felt an immediate connection both to the TMI community and its mission. I was impressed with every aspect of the school: a courteous and sincere student body, a very dedicated faculty and administration, involved and supportive parents, a board of governors and trustees committed to the future success of TMI. The school has an outstanding reputation that spans more than a century and I promise to do all in my power to uphold that reputation.”

Dr. Freeman has served as chairman of the Schools Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and was a member of the Schools Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas during his tenure as headmaster at St. Thomas.

In May 2008, Dr. Freeman was elected to a three-year term on the Governing Board of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), the New York City-based membership organization that supports and serves the work and ministry of more than 1,000 schools throughout the Episcopal Church. NAES, the only national precollegiate educational association for Episcopal schools, offers publications, conferences and other services focused on Episcopal identity, leadership and professional development of school leaders.

“I never realized the powerful resources available through NAES until I became a headmaster in 1999,” said Dr. Freeman. “I owe a great debt to NAES, one I am eager and willing to repay by serving on the Governing Board. It is a responsibility I will execute with the utmost enthusiasm.”

Dr. Freeman also continues to teach TMI’s Philosophy course, an elective for Upper School students that introduces them to the work of great thinkers in intellectual history. He also has taught an adult Christian formation class at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and joined with other St. Mark's artists in creating artwork to enhance the walls of Haven for Hope, a facility that delivers social services to San Antonio's homeless population.

He and his wife Judy have two grown children and enjoy a love for the Big Bend area of Texas. In his spare time, Dr. Freeman enjoys making pottery, woodworking and reading philosophy.