Seton Catholic Central High School Vice Principal Mary Forbes to Receive Clarkson University Inspirational Educator Award

Potsdam, NY (04/28/2017) — Mary Forbes of Plattsburgh, N.Y. inspires her students through sharing life lessons challenges them to work harder to achieve their goals. Forbes is one of three recipients of this year's Clarkson University Inspirational Educator Awards.

The vice principal, athletic director and mathematics chair at Seton Catholic Central High School in Plattsburgh, N.Y., was nominated by former student Dana Chapman of Plattsburgh, N.Y., a senior Honors Program student and chemical engineering major at Clarkson. The award will be presented during Clarkson's commencement weekend activities.

Each year, Clarkson asks its seniors to nominate the educators who have significantly affected their lives and helped guide their higher education and career decisions. The award recognizes these educators for their lasting impact on their students and in their fields of education.

Early in the spring term, graduating seniors submit their reasons for choosing their nominees, how they influenced them and actual situations in which they showed themselves to be outstanding educators.

Chapman said as a math teaching assistant at Clarkson, she drew inspiration from Forbes' teaching style to introduce concepts and tricks in her lessons. Through Chapman, Forbes' ideas and knowledge has had a positive impact on the lives of students she has never met.

"I never once saw Ms. Forbes exhibit favoritism of any kind. She treated everyone the same way, regardless of level of understanding, age or personal background," Chapman said. "She refused to tolerate excuses, but she never refused a request for help.

"Ms. Forbes taught those whining about a 96 to be thankful and to not expect to understand everything. She gave those who failed a test opportunities for extra help or a different perspective on the problems. In both cases, she taught students to try harder next time and encouraged us to constantly better ourselves."

Chapman said her teacher deserves this award because the skills she gained in her classes have shaped her into a better student and have provided a foundation on which she has built her collegiate academic career.

"Ms. Forbes, you have taught me so many things. How to learn. How to teach. How to not feel sorry for myself. How to be humble," Chapman said. "You have made me into a better student, a better teacher and a better person. Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me. I can never repay you, but I can promise you that I will pay it forward."

Clarkson University educates the leaders of the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as an owner, CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. With its main campus located in Potsdam, New York, and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through more than 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, education, sciences and the health professions, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo and connect discovery and innovation with enterprise.