The Forest Hills School District recognized three staff members for its September Seeds of Inspiration awards, a monthly program that honors employees across three categories: culture builder, innovator and student champion.
Corey Forsee, head custodian at Ayer Elementary School, earned the culture builder award. James Glaser, a science teacher at Turpin High School, was named innovator. Alex Liston, an English language arts teacher at Nagel Middle School, received the student champion honor.
The district announced the honorees on its website. Staff members are nominated by students, families and colleagues, with three recognized each month from September through April.
Forsee was highlighted for an ongoing game of tag he started with a student at Ayer Elementary. The game caught on. It now includes multiple children, who go home with stories about "Mr. Corey." His nominator wrote that Forsee brings joy to students' days and that other parents likely share the same experience.
Glaser encourages Turpin students to enter science fairs, present their work at elementary schools and submit grants to the Forest Hills Foundation for Education (FHFE), which awarded nearly $295,000 to school initiatives in 2025–26, according to the foundation's grants page. He also teaches college-level engineering courses. One parent's nomination credited him directly: "Last year my son's project placed first at GE's Advanced Manufacturing Day event and he gives Mr. Glaser credit for his success."
Glaser also received an Every Moment Matters Staff Shoutout in a separate district recognition, when a parent said their son routinely arrived at school early to collaborate on engineering projects in his classroom.
Liston was recognized for building lasting relationships with Nagel students. Her nominator said she watched her daughter's confidence grow over 12 months under Liston's influence, adding that the impact continued even after her daughter moved into a new school year.
The Seeds of Inspiration program runs monthly through April. Nominations are open to anyone in the Forest Hills community.
