Whitman Post Elementary School Principal presented with ‘Outstanding Principal Award’

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Mrs. Megan Forsythe is the well deserved winner of the 2025 Golden Apple “Outstanding Principal.”
Golden colored balloons, and a banner that was hung on a wall with the words, “Outstanding Principal,” surrounded the gymnasium in Whitman Post Elementary School (WPES) on the morning of Wednesday March 19 where students, staff, teachers, members of the community, friends and family gathered to surprise Mrs. Megan Forsythe.
Prior to the big surprise WPES teacher Amy Meier warmed the students up, by leading them in yelling out the words “Outstanding Principal, and the spelling out her last name, and clapping along to music while stating, “Mrs. Forsythe rocks, and We love you Mrs. Forsythe.”
Forsythe entered with Superintendent Glen Terry to loud, booming cheers, and applause Students waved flags, or pom poms. Others held up paddles featuring Forsythe’s photo. Colorful confetti popped into the air.
Kyle Keith of Collins Aerospace is a Golden Apple Foundation Board member and Program volunteer in charge of programs. He and sponsor McDonald’s Corporation recognized Mrs. Forsythe as the 2025 “Outstanding Principal.”
Keith introduced Executive Director of the Golden Apple Foundation, Jennifer Stark.
Stark said, ”Megan, we are so excited to celebrate with you today.
Your dedication to your students and your staff show every single day as you grow this cognitive learning and growing environment here at Whitman Post Elementary.”
Stark tapped into a few of Forsythe’s accomplishments, which are too many to list.
“You have been the Principal here at Whitman Post for the past 10 years.
Forsythe won a Golden Apple in 2009 while teaching at Prairie Hill School.
For the first time ever your school was named Exemplary School by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Your school is in the top 10 percent of all schools in IL. Your leadership and dedication to cultivating these lifelong learners and for helping your teachers feel empowered with the tools and skills to succeed.”
“Megan sets high standards for her staff while supporting them through mentoring, coaching, and developing their skills all while caring for them not only as teachers but as individuals with their own needs and families.
Her nominator says, “Megan sees everyone in her team at the school from custodians to teachers as an integral part of the opportunity as a school to make an impact on kids.”
Stark stated that there were many nominators.
“Megan’s focus has always remained on the students. No matter how busy you are every morning you greet students by name, and there are 500 students. Even when she ruptured her Achilles that didn’t stop her. You check in with your staff and students every morning.”
Megan celebrates student successes through As good as gold, The Book of Success and The Real Tough Cookie incentives and Posting with Pride. She stands behind positive student growth through Think Tank’s.Students fill out a form to think through their decisions to make better choices in the future.
Megan helped to create a District Equity team, focusing on diversity and inclusion of students in the area schools.
“Your middle name should be fun,” Stark said
To reward students for successful Fun Runs she has turned herself into a human sundae, kissed an alpaca and has camped out on the school roof with fellow principals.
Additionally Megan also is a fundraiser, leading to a new playground at her school in 2023. She has also fostered strong partnerships with the business community. She has been the administrative liaison of the PTO working with parents to build that sense of safety and inclusion. Megan is a Hononegah Booster.
Superintendent Glen Terry said, “What an honor it is to be here today. I had the privilege of 10 years ago hiring Megan an seeing how much she has grown as a leader, just tremendously between that time and now.
Even at that time you knew she had what it takes to be an incredible leader. she had a strong, committed vision of that culture for her students, her staff, for her families. She has gone above and beyond to give back. Hands down in my career she is the best hire. This is an awesome day to celebrate. We know what kind of person we have, great job.”
Forsythe was presented with an award and a check for $1,000 to use at WPES from McDonald’s Corporation. Forsythe will also be recognized on April 25 at the Golden Apple Foundation banquet.
Megan said, “I am just waiting to wake up from this dream, it is very surreal.
This award is amazing but this award isn’t mine. This award belongs to every single person sitting in this gymnasium today.
“We have the most amazing third, fourth and fifth graders you will ever find anywhere else. Please know every one of you is important, you are loved, you belong here.
“You all lift me up even at times I didn’t think it was possible. Thanks to all who have made a girl’s dreams come true. What an amazing thing to bring to our school.”
Students praised Mrs. Forsythe with the words they practiced earlier that day.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be surrounded by an incredible team and community who make it so easy for me to love what I do. Keep on shining Rockton!” Forsythe said.
Before becoming Principal at WPES Forsythe taught at Willowbrook Middle School, which was built in 2009, and at Prairie Hill from 2003- 2015 where she taught middle school math.
She also taught at Cerro Gordo Middle School from 2002-2003.
“I had several waitress jobs throughout her high school and college years. “This helped to prepare me for life,” Forsythe said.
Forsythe studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She attended National-Louis University where she earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and studied at Aurora University in Educational Leadership.