“I like makin’ stuff.” That short and down-to-earth phrase from AP Environmental Science teacher James D. Forsberg illustrates his humor and his unique lifestyle.
Forsberg is a builder and problem solver; he’s either fixing something at home or helping students understand how Earth’s systems work. Now in his 19th year of teaching at school, he is still portrayed as easygoing and influential by his students.
Forsberg grew up in Waupaca, Wisconsin, where he spent most of his childhood outdoors. As kids, he and his friends spent their days exploring nature and riding bikes. “I grew up in a small town in central Wisconsin, where there were lots of farming, hunting and fishing,” he said.
Forsberg developed a strong work ethic early on by paying for college himself. For years, he worked tough shifts at a foundry in his hometown, which taught him that his future has more possibilities. He started college studying natural resources management, but later double-majored in biology and philosophy because he “eventually discovered that [he] liked learning about the ideas behind the science.”
Before becoming a teacher, Forsberg spent more than 10 years working and traveling. His adventures began with the U.S. Peace Corps, which took him to Cameroon in West Africa for three years. He lived in a small village in the rainforest where he taught math and science. He then worked as a fisheries biologist for over seven years in Alaska. He also worked on projects involving migratory birds, bats and invasive plants. “I worked in fisheries biology for seven-plus years, taking biological assessments for the management of offshore commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea,” he said.
Forsberg has been to every continent except one and still loves discovering new parts of the world. Even after visiting so many places, some stand out more than others. “I still have a soft spot for living on Kodiak Island, where I could take the dogs out to Monashka Bay for a hike in the coastal mountains,” he said.
Forsberg loves AP Environmental Science because it helps students see how Earth’s systems work together to function. “Hands-on activities and getting out of the normal classroom setting are always very engaging,” he said, though he said that fitting fieldwork into short class periods can be tough.
After the AP exams, Forsberg’s students often enjoy a creative project, like making environmental art. Outside of school, he keeps busy with home renovation projects and helping build sets for the school’s drama productions. “It’s been a lot of fun getting a chance to work with scene construction for theater this year,” he said.
Junior Lina Seo is in Forsberg’s AP Environmental Science course. She enjoys the class and the activities involved. “I like APES a lot because it’s interesting how it’s like a mix of biology and chemistry,” she said.
Seo has a positive attitude towards Forsberg, she said he’s “really nice and seems to really enjoy teaching, so it becomes more enjoyable for students.”
Junior Roger An was in Forsberg’s AP Environmental Science course in the 2024-2025 school year. He said Forsberg is a “great fella.”
At home, Forsberg’s wife is an award-winning modern dancer and a dance professor at the University of Maryland. She often substitutes for him when he’s occupied with something important.
Forsberg continues to live as a skilled builder and adventurous explorer. He inspires students to see science as something living and connected. Additionally, he recalls one unforgettable memory that shows his love for nature: “I once saw a rainbow by moonlight, over the jungle and in a lightning storm.”
