Across from the nurse’s offices, along the strip of the senior hallways, lies J.R. Neiswender’s office. In this exclusive interview, we sat down with J.R. Neiswender, a passionate and responsive educator at Wilmington Friends. From their teaching philosophy to their favorite movie, we delved deeper into the hard-asked questions for Mr Neiswender—a captivating man with a more captivating voice. From teaching economics to history to coaching track in college, J.R. Neiswender is the man to ask the questions to. Neiswender was asked a series of 16 questions. One thing that struck Neiswender of the Delaware community was indeed the “tight-knit community and how everyone knows everyone.” “That’s right, we can’t go anywhere without knowing someone; it’s still surprising to me,” said Jillian Farley, a true for-lifer here at Wilmington Friends School. 

Interviewer: Before we get started, this has been a long-awaited question that the Friends community would love to know: How do you pronounce your last name?

Neiswender: It’s actually just how it’s spelled. It’s  Nice – Wen – Der

Interviewer: Where are you from?

Neiswender: I grew up in Houston, Texas for most of my youth. 

Interviewer: Favorite book?

Neiswender: Flanagan’s Run by Tom, which is about a guy who set up a race across America

Interviewer: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Neiswender: Golf, Family/movies, you know the cheesy stuff

Interviewer: If you weren’t in education, what would you be doing?

Neiswender: I thought for a long time I would be in journalism, specifically sports. 

Interviewer: Best piece of advice you have received?

Neiswender: From my father, it was that you can learn something from everyone.I actually brought this up during a faculty meeting. Even people you disagree with, there is still something you can learn. He was right….

Interviewer: If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Neiswender: For people who know me, I wouldn’t expect this answer, but right now, I would have to say Teddy Roosevelt. I find him to be particularly fascinating. Not only was he a rough rider outdoorsman, but he was a president at a time where there were huge changes domestically in terms of foreign policy. That dinner could take days. 

Interviewer: Do you lean more toward a teacher-centered approach, where the educator is the main authority, or do you prefer a student-centered approach that emphasizes student engagement and responsibility?

Neiswender: All good teaching is student centered. But it comes across differently. As a teacher, yes I am going to talk for a good amount of time but because I know what the student needs, because I have been there before (chuckle)

Interviewer: What does a day to day look like for you? In other words, what is your job as head of Upper School?

Neiswender: Ton of meetings. If you look at my calendar right now, there are a ton of meetings with other faculty members. 

Quick read, but now you know a little bit from our head of Upper School, who lies across the nurse’s offices and along the strip of the senior hallways, J.R.