Forgit Hired to Lead Virginia Education Association

Philip Forgit, a nationally recognized teacher from Williamsburg, has been hired as the executive director of the Virginia Education Association (VEA).

Philip Forgit accepts the NEA Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence while serving in Iraq in 2005. He was recently named the executive director of the Virginia Education Association.

Forgit taught elementary students (fourth and fifth grades) for 10 years in New Kent County and Williamsburg-James City County. He also served as president of VEA local associations in both school divisions.

“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,” VEA President Kitty Boitnott said. “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.”

The VEA executive director oversees the work of VEA’s 80 staff members located in its Richmond headquarters as well as in regional offices throughout the state.

In 2005, Forgit received the NEA Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence, selected from five finalists from across the country. He accepted the award from a rooftop in Baghdad, while on active duty as an Intelligence Specialist with Naval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2 serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Army. The new VEA executive received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for his work in organizing and delivering training for hundreds of Iraqi Army soldiers.

“As a teacher, my membership in VEA afforded me a great many opportunities for professional development that I would not have otherwise had,” Forgit commented. “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.”

He received both his bachelor’s in history and master’s in education from the College of William and Mary.

Forgit currently is completing a documentary film on Iraq. He will assume the VEA position as chief administrative officer on August 1.

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Posted by admin on Jul 6 2010. Filed under Richmond News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.