AOD Teacher of the Year
Mr. James Higdon ’10 Named Archdiocese of Detroit High School Teacher of the Year
Brother Rice High School proudly announces that Mr. James Higdon ’10 has been named the Bishop John M. Quinn Archdiocese of Detroit High School Teacher of the Year for 2024–2025, a prestigious and well-earned recognition that affirms his exceptional impact, leadership, and dedication to academic excellence and Catholic education.
A Warrior through and through, James has been part of the Brother Rice community since walking through our doors as a freshman in 2006. Now in his tenth year of teaching Engineering, Math, and Physics at his alma mater, he continues to shape both the minds and hearts of young men with creativity, humility, and purpose. After graduating from college, James returned to Brother Rice as a member of the Edmund Rice Volunteer Corps (ERVC), where his vocation to teach, coach, and minister to students became clear.
James embodies the very best of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers tradition, where innovation meets mission. His classes are marked by academic rigor, hands-on application, and a genuine excitement for learning. Most notably, he has led a transformation of the school’s engineering curriculum, becoming one of just three educators in Michigan to pilot Purdue University’s SCALE-12 Microelectronics Engineering program.
Last summer, James received a special invitation to attend the prestigious SCALE K-12 Summit at Purdue, a program funded by the Department of Defense through the CHIPS Act to inspire students to explore careers in Microelectronics and help revitalize domestic microchip manufacturing. During the week-long seminar, he collaborated with fellow educators to create lesson plans integrating microcontroller concepts.
James authored a unit plan, “Rolling the Dice,” in which students create an electronic dice simulator and fabricate it from scratch. James has his students use a classroom-based CNC mill to complete this lesson, bringing them unmatched exposure to engineering machinery. He is collecting data for Purdue and the University of Detroit Mercy on this lesson, which is based on design theory and client-based problem-solving.
With Purdue’s ongoing support, he is expanding our Engineering offerings to include Micro:Bits, LED wiring, circuit board design, and CNC mill operations—giving students a strong foundation in advanced technologies and exposure to one of the fastest-growing fields in STEM.
Yet James’s influence extends far beyond the classroom.
As a passionate and dedicated track and cross-country coach for several years, he helped student-athletes push their limits, cultivate discipline, and grow in confidence. He is also a pillar of our Kairos retreat program, where he guides students on transformative spiritual journeys and fosters a deep sense of brotherhood. Alumni consistently reflect on Kairos as the most meaningful part of their Brother Rice experience—largely thanks to James’s thoughtful leadership and genuine care.
You will also find James at the heart of all-school Masses, guitar in hand, quietly lending his musical talent to elevate our worship and community spirit. His sense of humor, engaging classroom presence, and approachable nature have made him a favorite among students and colleagues alike.
As one teacher observed, “James is engaged with his subject matter. He is passionate about what he teaches and how he teaches it.” His gift lies not only in his knowledge but in his ability to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and draw out excellence in every student.
In honoring James Higdon with this award, the Archdiocese of Detroit recognizes more than an outstanding educator—they celebrate a man of deep faith, integrity, and vision. James is a true disciple of Christ, and his work at Brother Rice is a living testament to the mission of Catholic education: to form men of character, faith, and service.
Congratulations, Mr. Higdon—and thank you for your faithful witness, your innovative spirit, and your tireless investment in our young men. You make Brother Rice proud.