AFA’s Teacher of the Year Program
STEM teachers shape the future of our nation by introducing students to exciting new concepts and offering a glimpse into what’s possible. Along with grants and scholarships, the Air & Space Forces Association believes that recognizing those who educate America’s youth is an important aspect of what AFA is all about. Every year, AFA’s Teacher of the Year program sponsored by Rolls-Royce proudly honors the commitment and achievements of these extraordinary teachers.
AFA’s Teacher of the Year Program is proudly sponsored by Rolls-Royce
2025 Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year
Ashlie Smith
Ashlie Smith, an 8th-grade physical science teacher at Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Girls in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. With a 24-year career steeped in creativity and dedication, Smith is a leader in aerospace education, empowering young women through hands-on scientific exploration and global collaboration.
Smith’s pioneering work includes leading student participation in the “Cubes in Space” and “Space for Teachers” programs, with over 40 student-designed experiments launched on sounding rockets and high-altitude balloons. Her students have even designed and flown propellant management devices and microgravity experiments aboard Zero-G flights.
Second Place: Kala Grice-Dobbins
Grice-Dobbins is a high school cybersecurity teacher in Huntsville, Ala. She is a trailblazer in preparing students for the evolving demands of cybersecurity and technology careers, especially in underserved and rural communities.
Third Place: Luke Becker
Becker is an Agricultural and Technology Education teacher and CTE Coordinator in Plymouth, Minn. His specialty is integrating aerospace engineering and STEM into student-centered innovation.
Nominate a Teacher of the Year
Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year
The Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year award is presented to a dedicated K-12 educator and AFA State Teacher of the Year winner. This honor recognizes STEM educators for their outstanding classroom performance, collaborative initiatives, educational outreach, leadership, and significant impact in the school and community.
The National Teacher of the Year will receive a $3,000 award, a plaque, and gold pin. First and second runners-up receive $2,000 and $1,000.
Guidelines and Criteria
Candidates must be submitted by their respective AFA State leaders. The candidate must be a former AFA State Teacher of the Year selected during the most recent past two years.
The deadline for nominations is June 30.
AFA State Teacher of the Year
The State Teacher of the Year award honors exemplary K-12 educators and Chapter Teacher of the Year winners at the AFA State level who make a profound difference in the lives of their students and in their community.
State Teachers of the Year will receive $500, an AFA jacket, a certificate, and a pin.
Guidelines and Criteria
To be eligible the AFA State candidate must be a current AFA Chapter Teacher of Year.
The deadline for submissions is April 30.
AFA Chapter Teacher of the Year
Local AFA chapters select one Teacher of the Year for this award, which salutes those classroom educators who steer their students toward greatness in STEM fields.
Chapter Teachers of the Year receive $250, a certificate, padfolio, window decal, pin, and complimentary Civil Air Patrol membership.
Guidelines and Criteria
Chapters may select one TOY from any grade level (K-12) for submission to AFA National to receive award components. If the chapter wishes to recognize more than one Chapter TOYs, they may do so but would need to contact AFA National to purchase additional Chapter TOY award components.
The deadline for submissions is April 30.
News
Sponsor and Strategic Partner
Every year since 2016, Rolls-Royce has provided AFA’s top three National TOYs with grants up to $3,000 and likewise supports the AFA State and Chapter TOY programs. In 2022, they provided grants worth up to $500 to 25 State and 72 Chapter TOYs.
Since becoming the program’s sponsor in 2016, Rolls-Royce has contributed more than $650,000 in educator grants and financial support to AFA’s TOY program, helping support those teachers who are inspiring the next generation of STEM experts in classrooms across the country.
Thank you, Rolls-Royce!