Jonathan Ferstenberg

Jonathan Ferstenberg has been a teacher and school leader for over 25 years.

He began his career as an Assistant English Teacher in a rural Japanese Junior High School before returning to his home country, the United States, to study for a Juris Doctor in Law at Columbia University in New York. After practicing law for the New York office of an international commercial law firm, he returned to teaching – first in the US and then in the UK. He has taught History, Politics, Economics, Religious Studies, Sociology and Philosophy. Jonathan has been middle and senior in a wide range of independent and state schools, focusing on curriculum, teaching and learning and Sixth Form leadership before progressing to become a Headteacher in County Durham.

Being the Director of Teaching and Learning for ESF has been a unique opportunity to bring together this varied experience to support the diverse needs of their schools and contexts.

He lives in Northumberland with his wife, who teaches at Newcastle University. They have three grown sons, who have become admirable young men.