The Independence Alumni Association recognized the accomplishments and achievements of long-time educator industrial technology teacher Mike Foor and past biology teacher and founder of the Biology Society William Taylor by naming them the 2024 Educators of Excellence. They were recognized at the association’s luncheon on March 11 in the media center of Independence High School.
Bill Taylor, who passed away in 2012, was a science teacher, department chair, and activity advisor in Independence Local Schools for 44 years. While there, he developed and was director of the 50-acre school and Community Outdoor Education Center/Land Lab. He founded and was the adviser of the Independence High School Biology Society for 39 years.
Taylor was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio University in 1956, going on to attain his Masters in 1963. His major fields of study were biological science, English, and counseling. He did further study at Ohio State's Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory at Put-in-Bay, Wells College, Cornell University, University of Louisville, University of Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt. He was a member of the Ohio Academy of Science since 1956 and was a presenter there.
Taylor was presented with a number of awards during his career. In 1968, he was presented with an Outstanding Biology Teacher of Ohio award by the National Association of Biology Teachers. He was presented a special award by the Ohio Division of Wildlife in 1972 and was an Outstanding Conservation Award recipient in 1974 from the Ohio Sierra Club. He was a Nature Conservancy Award recipient in 1979. The Alumni Association created a video presentation about Taylor and his contributions to Independence Local Schools that was played at the awards reception.
“There is nobody more deserving of the ‘Educator of Excellence Award’ than Mr. Taylor,” said science teacher Scott Maretka. “He had a passion for the natural world that was not only infectious, but inspiring. The world is a better place knowing that there are people out there that have been influenced by him.”
Mike Foor has been with the district since 1990. He has taught more than 90 students a year in industrial arts at both Independence High School and Middle School for 34 years. That is approximately 3,100 students. In addition, he has coached football, wrestling and golf for the district for 20 years, all while working on his master’s degree at Kent State University. He played football himself at Bowling Green State University and was a graduate of North Ridgeville High School. He started his career at Garfield Heights High School as a teacher for two years, waiting for the opportunity he wanted, which was working for Independence Local Schools.
His passion and drive for education is much more than following detailed plans, cutting pieces of wood, assembling and finishing them. Foor encourages his students to think, enable their creativity, envision an idea for a project, and be comfortable with believing they can make it and figure it out. Foor teaches students how to safely use tools, create projects but doing so as a pathway. He incorporates a STEM methodology in his classroom through many disciplines. While some students may be more math and science oriented, he knows that others may be more arts and humanities oriented, Foor’s goal is to open the door for all students. Throughout his career at Independence, he has initiated many new lessons, encouraged students to enter numerous competitions, opening the eyes of students to careers they may not be aware of, and always looking for opportunities to take students into the real world through hands-on field experiences. The Alumni Association also played a video tribute to Foor at the awards reception.
“In my short time at Independence High School, I have been able to witness Mr. Foor makes meaningful connections with the students in his class. You do not just take Mr. Foor’s class; you become a part of an experience,” said Principal Mike Janatovich, Independence High School.
“Mr. Foor is a ‘Mount Rushmore’ type of individual at Independence High School. It would be almost impossible to try to describe the positive impact that he has had on over three decades’ worth of students. He provides them with great technical and practical knowledge, but he also teaches them valuable lessons on life.” said I.H.S. teacher and former principal William McGuinness.
