NHS alumni honor 5 top educators

By ANNA GUSTAFSON

Hour Staff Writer

NORWALK — Laughter came easily and eyes swelled with tears of pride as family and friends from across the country gathered to honor the five local educators named to the Norwalk High School Honor Roll.

Residents from near and far gathered in St. Peter's Lutheran Church Sunday afternoon for the ceremony held by the NHS Alumni Association to laud the accomplishments of Linda Brown Forcellina, Jacqueline Watson Dayton, Heidi Schreiner Godleski, Joseph Mola and the late Abbie Savage Campbell.

Memories flooded the church room as the recipients reminisced about their decades spent touching thousands of young lives — inspiring generations of successful members of society. They recalled the days when Brien McMahon High School was referred to as "Freedomland," their fight to ensure there was a music teacher at every elementary school and the countless number of hours spent pouring their last drop of energy into every student.
 

With voices sometimes wavering from the overwhelming happiness that laced the atmosphere, the teachers detailed their part in changing the world through education.

"Teachers' tolerance, compassion and encouragement touch all children; our lives touch thousands of other lives," Forcellina said. " ... As Cicero said, "what nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation?"

The recipients, all Norwalk High graduates, spent long careers in Norwalk, and the late Campbell graduated from NHS in 1924. She spent nearly four decades in education and was the first principal of Roger Ludlow Junior High School. She began her career in New Canaan, where she taught at a one-room schoolhouse for students in grades one through eight, and after her retirement she was an associate professor of education at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

"I know my mother would be very proud today," said Sally Woodhall, Campbell's younger daughter who accepted the award on her mother's behalf. " ... It's truly an honor to make a difference in one child's life, and mother made a difference in many children's lives."

Dayton, a 1953 graduate of NHS, began her teaching career at Honeyhill Elementary and ended her career as a kindergarten teacher at Tracey Elementary. She was a member of the district's human relations team and served on the pilot program for kindergarten to first grade transitional classes.

"It's been a privilege teaching," Dayton said. "When I think about my students who are doctors, lawyers and athletes now, it's a wonderful feeling."

Forcellina, a 1956 NHS graduate, taught English at Norwalk High and Brien McMahon and is now a professor at the University of Bridgeport. In addition to her teaching duties, she served in adult education and was a team leader of the Junior English team. She also was the advisor of the Literacy Magazine, advisor of the drama club and director of dramatic productions.

"I've always believed teaching is the greatest form of optimism," said Forcellina, explaining that no aspiration for a student seems too large — fortunately for society.

"As John F. Kennedy said, "our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource," Forcellina said.

Godleski, a 1961 NHS graduate, was a Spanish teacher at Norwalk High School and Joel Barlow High School. She continues to teach in the Norwalk Adult Education program after 31 years and has volunteered with Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now and the South Norwalk Community Center. She teaches English as a Second Language classes and was the director of the home stay program.

"I felt I was very well prepared for life thanks to my education at Norwalk High School," she said. "It was a privilege to be a student at Norwalk High School, to receive such a fine education and when I went to teacher there, I felt that education was still being provided."

Mola, a 1957 NHS graduate, taught general and vocal music for 10 years at Benjamin Franklin Jr. High before becoming music supervisor, art supervisor and the academically talented supervisor in Norwalk until his 2003 retirement. The music teacher for 42 years was largely responsible for picking the music director at both high schools that have put Norwalk on the national map.

"I've always been proud to say I graduated from Norwalk High School and spent my life's work in Norwalk," Mola said. " ... I've loved every minute of my life in Norwalk."

The Norwalk High School Alumni Association has honored 33 outstanding teachers over the past seven years. These teachers have had their names attached to the plaque in the lobby at Norwalk High. Once construction is completed at Norwalk High, the names of the new teachers will be prominently displayed, said Catherine Vigilante, director of the NHS Alumni Association's Teacher Honor Roll.

 

Hour Senior Staff Writer Francis X. Fay Jr. contributed to this article.