Forté

Chief Joy Officer & Project Manager

sforte@edbirmingham.org

Forté cultivated a commitment to educational success while growing up on the soil in a Black Belt county. For over 20 years, she has remained dedicated to raising student achievement in various secondary and postsecondary educational projects to include managing multiple projects simultaneously. Forte has been a member of the U.S. Army Reserves (1996-2006) as a Personnel Management Specialist at 5th Medical Unit in Birmingham, AL. While working on her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Forté launched a social service career with Behavioral Guidance – a wrap-around service that supported Jefferson County DHR and Birmingham City Schools through academic remediation, parenting, and student behavior modification.

With a keen interest in crime and education correlates, Forté served as the lead ACT Prep Instructor to Jess Lanier High School’s Class of 2008 cohort in Bessemer, AL for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) – The Class of 2008 set a school scholarship record of $5.4M, achieved daily attendance gains, increased postsecondary entrance, and changed the “drop out label” for Jess Lanier High School.  Forte’ taught for two years in a therapeutic correctional classroom at J.F. Ingram State Technical College in Columbiana. As an Adult Education, Workforce Development, and Computer Instructor, she helped to implement a curriculum to create an all-time 50% GED passing rate for offenders. She has supported Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) efforts across the United States, as an Eureka! Technology Instructor with Girls of Central Alabama and Kaplan ACT Coach. Along with an inaugural role at Ed, in her spare time Forté leads the UAB Black Alumni Chapter as Chair. She is also a 2016 Leadership UAB Alum. The Aliceville native and Birmingham resident enjoys giving back to the community, volunteer opportunities, and leading fitness activities.