When most people think of college, they picture nearby local campuses like Lindenwood, Mizzou, Wash U, etc. but for math teacher Austin Forney, his college journey took an unexpected turn that led him to an island nearly 4,000 miles away. 

For Forney, the decision to leave Missouri for Hawaii started with curiosity to break routine.

“I went to Francis Howell High School and St. Charles Community College after, so I was at home forever. I kind of wanted to take a jump and go somewhere else for a little bit,” Forney said.

One moment that stood out to Forney during his time in Hawaii came before he even officially moved there.

“My college visit there, I went with my whole family. Touring the campus and actually having it set that I’m going to school and living here for months at a time, that’s something I won’t forget,¨ Forney said.

Living so far from home forced Forney to grow in ways he didn’t expect.

“I think it made me a lot more independent,” Forney said, “a lot of it was figuring things out on my own. There’s no going home and asking mom or dad.”

His experience in Hawaii didn´t just shape him personally, it also stands out to those who work with him now.

Math teacher Breanna Norwine said his time in Hawaii makes him stand out.

“I think it’s interesting that Mr. Forney went to college in Hawaii because he got to experience another state, not just any other state like Illinois but Hawaii,” Norwine said. “Hawaii is a different culture, and it’s nice that he can bring that to St. Charles High”

Math teacher Melissa Kohr also pointed out how uncommon his experience is amongst other teachers.

“I think he’s the only person I’ve ever met who’s gone to college in Hawaii or lived there for any length of time,” Kohr said. “I think it gives him more problem solving skills because he’s had different experiences than many of us.”

Forney said his path into teaching wasn’t immediate, it grew from another passion, coaching baseball.

“I think coaching is what originally got me set on teaching,” Forney said. “It took me a while to figure out they’re really the same thing, coaching and teaching. Seeing growth and development was really exciting for me.”

For students thinking about their own futures, Forney keeps it simple.

“Just do it. Don’t think about it,” Forney said. “If you think about the little things like how far away you’re going to be, you’ll psych yourself out. I committed and kind of let it sneak up on me to where I was like, ‘Oh, my flight’s next week.”

His message is straight forward; take the chance. 

“If you don’t like it, you can transfer or go home. But if you don’t do it, you’ll never know.”