Tim Rosenfield

A "Clear Voice of Reason"

While some of his Upper School students are Breck “lifers,"history teacher Tim Rosenfield is, in a way, a lifer, too. “I’ve been at Breck since it came to this campus in 1981," he says, “and I’ve seen a lot of transformation in the study of history--and the nature of students--since then."

Known for his sense of humor, concern, and lively approach to teaching, Rosenfield is a believer in trying to capture the social and cultural parts of history and not just the chronology of events. “It’s the flavor, not just the facts," he says.

His “Reel History" class, which teaches history through film, is a perfect example. “Kids go to films to learn about history today," he says, “and historians have to subject films to higher standards of accuracy."

That combination of scholarship and concern for students is highly valued by his colleagues as well as his students. “He is absolutely adored by the kids," says departmental colleague Dulcenee Walsh. “His classes are fun, and the seniors always want him--and his guitar--on overnights."

When he’s not at Breck, or singing around a campfire with seniors, Tim is likely to be with his family, which includes his children Hayley, Janessa and Joseph.

“My family life is really the most important thing," he says. “I’m fairly obsessed with it."

The Duluth native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and came to Breck from a doctoral program in Russian history at Indiana University, but he has had a lifelong fascination with issues surrounding the U.S. Constitution. It was that interest that led him to propose a trip for a group of seniors to the U.S. Supreme Court. “It’s a fantastic experience for me and for the kids," he says. “And I give Kevin a lot of credit for helping me make it happen."

Last year, the students heard some fairly glamorous cases being deliberated. This year, on the second annual Supreme Court trip, 14 students heard cases that were more technical and typical. Still, Tim says, “even if they can’t follow the details of a case, they love the theater of it."

Tim also spends a lot of time reading. He’s recently finished a biography of Judge Learned Hand, the fourth of a five-volume biography of Dostoevsky, and Paul Nagel’s study of John Quincy Adams. “I’m never not reading. That’s the problem with doing what you love for a living," he says. “You can’t ever stop!"