On Sept. 5, Ninth grade English teacher James Bassett was announced as 2017 North Forsyth High School teacher of the year. It is an honor that came as a surprise to none of his former students; eyewitnesses from Mrs. Transue’s 10th grade English class, next door to Bassett, can confirm that the room erupted into cheers and applause when the announcement was made.

Bassett has taught in Forsyth County Schools for 17 years, 10 of those at NFHS as an English teacher. He currently teachers Honors English 9. Regarding the award, he stated that he was “very grateful” and “humbled to have been chosen from such a large group of great teachers.”

Former Bassett student, sophomore Jack Ritacco, described Bassett as “one of the  most iconic persons of this generation,” saying that “the exceptional quality of his teaching style and his devotion to his students’ well-being makes [him] question why he didn’t win the award sooner.”

Winning NFHS Teacher of the Year means that Bassett will move on to be compared with the best teachers across the county and represent the Raiders. We wish him the best of luck!