Rico Forney doesn’t have a traditional teaching background. But he sure has a lot of experience.
The 33-year-old Navy veteran completed three deployments throughout his 10 years in the service. And now, this May, he’ll graduate with a bachelor’s in elementary education from Georgia Southern University’s College of Education.
He’s certainly got the background to lead in the classroom. But his journey to academic success wasn’t easy.
“I struggled in school, which is what led me to the military,” Forney explained. “I didn’t have a lot of options. But I had people reach out to me in ways that were really meaningful at a difficult time in my life.
“So I’ve dedicated myself to paying it back and trying to uplift other people. That’s what drove me to teach. It was the mentorship aspect of trying to impact a young child’s life positively. To inspire them to reach for the heights.”
He’s already working on that part. Forney’s fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, started a mentorship program at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School in Statesboro.
“We’re going on our second year with this mentorship club,” he said. “We’ve been mentoring their third through fifth-grade boys, teaching them the art of the handshake, how to tie a tie, communication skills, and how to navigate conflict. Things like that.”
Experiences like these made him quickly realize where he was needed.
“It showed me where my love and passion was,” he explained. “I didn’t think those kids needed the same level of mentorship and guidance as middle and high school students. But I came to realize that they needed so much more at that early age.”
“Just seeing the difference I made and the love they have for me and the love I have for them completely changed my whole outlook,” he said. “I’m meant to do elementary. I didn’t second-guess it at all.”
Forney did his senior placement at Julia P. Bryant, where he taught third-grade science. He’s extremely proud of the kids he’s gotten to work with, and they’ve all gotten to know Mr. Forney. Or, as they call him, Mr. Fortnite.
“I absolutely love it,” he said, laughing. “Third grade is that age where they’re kind of thinking a little bit more mature, but they still have that kind of youthful optimism and they’re excited about everything.”
He loves being in the classroom with his kids. But it’s his military experience as a former Navy engineer that shaped his teaching.
“I think discipline is something every child needs,” he explained. “It’s something I found I needed. Half the job is managing behavior and setting clear expectations. I run my class similar to how I’d run a unit in the Navy. They respect me for holding them to my word.”
That strong will and determination will be with him as he crosses the stage this spring to accept his diploma. He’ll begin a new role in the fall.
“I’ve accepted a job at Julia P. and will continue to teach my third grade students,” Forney said.”I’m ready to make this community my home.”