Forgit, a 'Persuasive Advocate,' to Lead State Education Group

By Amber Lester Saturday, July 03, 2010

Former Williamsburg-James City County teacher Philip Forgit has been tapped to lead the Virginia Education Association as its next executive director.

Forgit taught fourth and fifth grades for 10 years in New Kent County and Williamsburg-James City County, where he was an instructor at Rawls Byrd Elementary. In both school divisions, he served as president of local VEA associations.

The VEA is a statewide association of more than 60,000 teachers and school support professionals. It advocates for quality instruction and curriculum, adequate funding and excellent working conditions for Virginia school employees, according to its website. As director of the VEA, Forgit will oversee the work of 80 staff members located in the organization’s Richmond headquarters, as well as in regional offices throughout the state. He will start his new position on Aug. 1.

“Philip is a teacher, an organizer and a manager with experience in mentoring and developing leadership in the workplace, recruiting membership and generating public support for education,” said Kitty Boitnott, president of the VEA, in a press release. “He is a persuasive advocate for public education with extensive experience in the classroom, in politics and in working with the public. I am delighted to welcome him to our staff.”

In 2005, Forgit was selected from five finalists to receive the National Education Association Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence. At the time, the Navy reservist had been called to active duty in Iraq, where he served as an Intelligence Specialist with Naval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2 serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Army.

He accepted his award from a rooftop in Baghdad, rather than the packed ballroom in Washington where the other finalists mingled with former President Bill Clinton. Since returning from Iraq, Forgit used his $35,000 in NEA prize money to establish ForgitFilms LLC, through which he is creating a documentary on Iraqi soldiers and their families.

He told the NEA Magazine in 2007 that he couldn’t shake the urge to teach even while serving in Iraq. He set up a one-room schoolhouse, complete with textbooks and posters, to work with soldiers to improve their literacy. He also received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for his work in organizing and delivering training for Iraqi Army soldiers.

Forgit also ran for public office. In 2003, he campaigned to join the Virginia House of Delegates on a pro-public education platform; in 2007, he lost a congressional race to Republican Rob Wittman in 2007. Now, he will serve as a leader of educators across the state.

“As a teacher, my membership in VEA afforded me a great many opportunities for professional development that I would not have otherwise had,” he said in a release. “I am honored to be selected VEA executive director, to be part of an organization that is the leading advocate for children and public education in Virginia.”

Forgit earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education from the College of William and Mary. He is currently completing his documentary on Iraq.