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Philip Forgit '89, M.Ed. '95 speaks to the SVEA

  • Philip Forgit '89, M.Ed. '95
    Philip Forgit '89, M.Ed. '95  Philip Forgit, Executive Director of the Virginia Education Association, spoke at the first meeting of the Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA).  
  • SVEA Leadership
    SVEA Leadership  The SVEA elected officers for the 2014-2015 academic year. From the left, Taylor Johnston, Rebecca McCray, Meghan Byrnes, Jesse Gauthier, Carol Kim, Sarah Gaspari, Kathleen Swift, and Giovanna DiPasquale  
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by Giovanna DiPasquale |  September 16, 2014

On September 4, the College of William and Mary School of Education welcomed Philip Forgit, Executive Director of the Virginia Education Association, (VEA) to the first meeting of the Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA).

Mr. Forgit is an alumnus of the College of William and Mary, receiving a Bachelors in History (’89) and a Master's in Elementary Education (’95).  Upon graduation he spent 10 years teaching elementary students in New Kent and Williamsburg-James City counties. In 2005, Mr. Forgit received the NEA Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence which he accepted from a rooftop in Baghdad while serving as an Intelligence Specialist with Naval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2. His accolades also include the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, which was awarded for his work in organizing and delivering training to hundreds of Iraqi Army soldiers.

The SVEA is a pre-service professional educational organization which serves to inform and educate its membership on educational issues of immediate and potential importance in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.

The newly elected SVEA leaders for the 2014-2015 school year are as follows:  President, Sarah Gaspari; Vice President, Meghan Byrnes; Secretary, Carol Kim; Editor/Historian, Giovanna DiPasquale; Hospitality Officer, Kathleen Swift; Membership Officer, Jesse Gauthier; Fundraising/Grant-writing Committee Chair, Rebecca McCray; and Community Outreach Officer, Taylor Johnston. The SVEA executive board is eager to begin an active and rewarding year of community outreach and professional development. For more information, please contact:

Dr. Gail McEachron
ESL Program Coordinator
SVEA Faculty Advisor
gamcea@wm.edu or visit www.studentvea.org.