Jim

Jim Debowski, PhD in Anthropology; Social Studies Teacher

Jim is a social scientist with diverse experience in teaching, research and professional practice. He is a well-rounded educator with experience teaching in higher education, delivering corporate training and facilitating workshops for corporations, government and community groups, and teaching martial arts to students of all ages.

Originally from Australia, Jim has substantial experience working with marginalized populations and community organizers in Australia, Europe and America. His academic and prior professional work uses project design to empower marginal populations. Jim is excited to bring this expertise to our students as a new curriculum, aligned to Connecticut state social studies standards, empowering Cajal Academy’s innovative students to become social change agents. In the classroom, this translates into a focus on teaching his students to think critically and conduct original social sciences research—and ultimately to shape their communities.

Jim holds a doctorate in cultural anthropology. He comes to Cajal with experience conducting and publishing qualitatively-driven, interdisciplinary research. He is excited to contribute to Cajal’s innovative educational model, and to bring his experience as a social scientist to developing new models for community engagement that leverage and support this unique school.

Outside of his life at Cajal, Jim loves martial arts and the outdoors. He runs a martial arts school in New Haven and volunteers as a search and rescue K9 handler.