Amongst the new staff at Cinnaminson High School is Ms. Katherine Forte, a 2012 Cinnaminson graduate who has returned to Cinnaminson as a new member of the science department.
Forte said she likes that she has the opportunity to teach where she graduated high school.
“It’s cool now I can bond with students and I can tell my journey through my experiences here and also have that bond with teachers as well,” Forte said. “It is different from when I was a student teacher before.”
Before coming to teach at Cinnaminson, Forte completed her student-teaching experience at Palmyra High School and then was hired at Magnolia Middle School in Magnolia, New Jersey where she taught science last year.
According to Forte, the teachers at CHS were a big reason why she wanted to return to teach at her alma mater.
“I admired all of my teachers that got me to this point,” Forte said. “If I came back to teach I knew I would be comfortable and be in a place where I would want to be.”
Having graduated from Salisbury University with a double major in biology and environmental science, Forte said she was not initially planning to become a teacher. After college, she worked for the Burlington County Division of Parks where she led expeditions, guided walks, and hikes. She also participated in conservation projects on native and invasive flora and fauna, the health of ecosystems, and the preservation of wildlife.
She also led a bluebird and wood duck nesting volunteer project to collect data on native species and their nesting habits, clutch sizes, and what led to success or failure when it came time for fledglings to leave. She also started a spotted lanternfly removal volunteer group throughout the park system to minimize their impact in Burlington County.
In her experiences of environmental education and aiding people of all ages in the study of environmental science, Forte said she realized she wanted to pursue teaching and obtain her teaching certificate.
“I didn’t think I was going to be a teacher, but I realized all my jobs before I became a teacher were different types of education, so I have always been an educator and was not a ‘teacher’ until two years ago.”
Forte went back to get her master’s degree in education at Rutgers University – Camden where she was classmates with current Cinnaminson teacher Mr. Howley.
“The student body is definitely better here,” Forte said about changing districts. “Everybody here feels a little bit more inclusive and overall the vibe is a lot better here at CHS.”
Forte plans to become an active CHS community member, including coaching. As a former college athlete, Forte competed in track and field at Salisbury in various throwing events, including shot put, hammer, and javelin. Forte plans on bringing her skills, knowledge, and experience to the winter and spring track teams, which she encourages students to join. Forte has an impressive coaching resume already with assistant coaching three different state champion throwers and one state runner-up in the past six years. She hopes to continue this success as a Pirate.
