Retiree Spotlight Mr. Brian Fortney

As we are reaching the close of another successful school year, we will be saying goodbye to several of our esteemed teachers and members of our Chautauqua Lake family.  These individuals will be retiring and moving on to new life experiences. Today, we are honored and privileged to showcase Mr. Brian Fortney.  

Mr. Fortney attended SUNY Brockport for both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Brian utilized his degrees to become a teacher and has been teaching for 32.5 yrs, spending time at Falconer, Southwestern, Friendship, and Chautauqua Central School and has been here at Chautauqua Lake from its inception.  Mr. Fortney’s coaching career is highlighted by being a successful track and field coach and coaching at the State level for wrestling. In addition, he was the adviser for Science Olympiad and Envirothon teams for over three decades.  Because of leadership, Chautauqua Lake is recognized at both the regional and state levels for having a dominant Science Olympiad and Envirothon programs.

Mr. Fortney’s passion for teaching was inspired by his father, Robert, who was a science teacher at Cassadaga Valley for 33 yrs.   Mr. Fortney notes that “growing up under him, his enthusiasm, creativity, caring and unconventional approach to learning, made me feel passionate and excited about science and teaching as a profession.”  It is noteworthy that those attributes were exhibited daily in Mr. Fortney’s classroom.  Mr. Fortney and his father have left a legacy that will be difficult to replicate. 

Mr. Fortney shared that he “loved imparting his knowledge of science to his students.” He was equally passionate about helping to develop a whole new generation of individuals who are able to think for themselves and who can take responsibility for their own learning.  He shared, “Whether engaging in educational discourse or on a personal level, listening to what the students had to say made every day different and rewarding.”  Mr. Fortney reminisced about some of the many fond memories made during his remarkable career, stating, “seeing the ‘lightbulb come on’ when a student that was struggling with a concept had a breakthrough moment and finally understood. Or having past students return and tell me how much a class or activity helped them in college or career choice.”

His colleague and fellow science teacher, Mrs. Mary Jantzi, shared, “I have admired his dedication, consistent and worthy advice, and the ability to keep everything in the right perspective. He genuinely cares about people. To say it is a blessing and a pleasure to work with him all of these years seems like an understatement.” 

Jason Richardson, Secondary Guidance Counselor and friend, noted, “First and foremost, Brian will be remembered as a family man of great faith and character. He also is a ‘Master Teacher.’  Stepping into the legacy left behind by his father, a gifted science teacher, Brian was always striving to improve and consistently pushed himself to better and better live up to the high standard that his Dad had set for him. One of Brian’s greatest accomplishments was being able to reach the ‘unteachable student.’  He has always had a special way of meeting kids where they are at and was good at challenging them to embrace a growth mindset.  He also believed in helping his students become better people or better ‘human beings.’ With this in mind, he often would seize teachable moments in the middle of his science lessons to emphasize key ‘life lessons’ that he knew were important for kids to hear.  Brian will never know the true influence he has on the lives of his students.”

Mr. Fortney shared that one of his many major contributions to CLCS happened this school year. He states, 
“I had the honor of organizing and displaying Andy Cesarz’s lifetime collections in the science hallway display cases.”  Andy Cesarz was a good friend of Mr. Fortney and his son’s Boy Scout troop leader.  Mr. Fortney states that the project allowed him to “continue my influence here at CLCS and honor a great man. It also allowed me to leave a little something of myself.  It warms my heart to see people gathered in front of the displays during the passing time between classes and after school, pointing to or discussing something.”

Plans for retirement include a new Irish Setter puppy, “Ruby Rose” and walking/biking around town. Mr. Fortney plans to continue to travel  the country and the world with his wonderful wife June, and competing for charity in beard and mustache competitions. Recently, he was asked to rekindle his presence in the local music scene and join a blues/rock band.  So with the new puppy, music, jobs and projects around the house, fishing, hunting, travel, family and exercise, it appears that Mr. Fortney will continue to fully enjoy his life.

The positive impact Mr. Fortney has had on his fellow teachers, administrators, students and our community is immeasurable. We thank him for being a positive part of so many of our lives over the last three decades. Mr. Fortney shared words of wisdom to both current and future Chautauqua Lake students as he states, “strive to understand. Don’t merely memorize; increase your depth of understanding. You need to attempt to fully comprehend what you need to know and be able to do as a result of your education.”  Mr. Fortney leaves a legacy and a pathway for new teachers to follow if they choose to become an exceptional teacher! 

Respectfully,
 
Dr. Josh Liddell