For a classroom of third-graders in 1973 at Northeastern Elementary School, their new teacher just entering the field made an impression on them. In addition to the many academic skills they gained that year, their teacher boosted their self-confidence, treated them with kindness and provided them with a lifetime gift of his friendship.
That same teacher, Phil Forsythe, continues to serve in the Bellefontaine City School District to this day. Monday evening, May 8, the district honored his 50 years in education during a special presentation at the board of education meeting to a capacity crowd at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center.
Two of his first-year students from that third-grade class, Scott Abraham and Renee Price, shared about their experiences.
“He was fresh out of Urbana University and I remembered thinking,‘This guy is enthusiastic,” Abraham said of his teacher. “He made learning fun and inspired us to do better. He is a caring, loving person who has made this community and Bellefontaine Schools a wonderful place.”
Price said Forythe taught her and her classmates simple, but important lessons, namely: to be learners, to work hard and never give up; to be kind to others; and to be good little people.
“Your class gave us a sense of belonging and of learning being fun,” she told Forsythe, who was accompanied by his wife, Jean, a former Benjamin Logan teacher; daughter Lisa Forsythe; sister Betsy Shoffstall and fellow members of his family.
“Thank you for all that you’ve been to all of us for all of these years.”
As sixth-graders on their last day at Northeastern Elementary, both Price and Abraham remember Forsythe calling their former third-grade classmates together to talk with the soon-to-be middle-schoolers, providing them with encouragement for this big transition.
“He told us if you ever need anything, I’m here for you,” Abraham said, words that still ring true today.
To start the evening, Superintendent Brad Hall and Board of Education President Colin Yoder provided a presentation for Forsythe, expressing their appreciation for his dedicated service. Yoder presented him with a clock trophy.
The now 71-year-old was a full-time teacher at BCS for 44 1/2 years, and has been serving as a substitute teacher at BCS for the last 5 1/2 years, currently working in a full-time substitute role as a first-grade Title I teacher. He will be teaching third-grade summer school this year as well.
“We don’t have to look far to find a legend at BCS,” Hall said. “You can see how much Phil loves students and being around people. His impact really is immeasurable.”
Debbie Ellis then provided remarks for her dear friend and former co-worker. She asked those in attendance to raise their hands if they were Phil’s former students; current or former colleagues; and finally, if they had ever received a note of encouragement from Phil. Many hands waved in the air around the room, especially on her final request.
She said Forsythe’s favorite quote comes from William Wordsworth: “The best portion of a good man’s life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.”
“He constantly serves others with a positive attitude. He is a true gift to our community,” she said.
His wife of 47 years, Jean, noted that while in “retirement,” her husband has served as a substitute teacher, “almost every single day,” she said. “There’s maybe one day a month when he’s not subbing.”
Forsythe said in 2012, he “retired” after 39 years in the classroom. But that didn’t last long, as he picked back up where he started with a Title I reading K-2 position for the next five years.
Not one to sit idle, the longtime teacher also has found many other ways to serve the community through a variety of part-time jobs he has held in addition to his educator duties.
The Huntsville native said he worked his way through high school and college at Clancy’s of Bellefontaine to help pay for his education. In fact, he became the youngest manager for the restaurant in the tri-state area at the age of 18, he related.
Other places of employment over the years have included tutoring youths at a local children’s home with Jean, and also working alongside his wife and her family at Schneider’s grocery store in Wapakoneta for 27 years. More recent employment has included Little Learners, Campbell Place, and his current position as the weekend activity director at The Homestead at Logan Acres.
Toward the end of the presentation, Forsythe also learned about a scholarship named after him. Initially, the goal was to raise $15,000 and Monday night, a check for over $18,600 was unveiled.
Each scholarship recipient must be a BHS graduate pursuing a degree in elementary education, with $2,000 to awarded annually. The first scholarship recipient will be announced May 15 during the local scholarship night at BHS.
Donations are still being accepted toward the scholarship through the Logan County Education Foundation, noted toward the “Phil Forsythe Scholarship.”
As a final surprise for the five-decade educator, Tuesday, May 9, was designated as Phil Forsythe Day at Bellefotaine City Schools, with special activities planned, including an afternoon assembly at Bellefontaine Elementary.
