National AFA Teachers of the Year Shine at Space Educator Conference

Three of the nation’s top Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) educators brought their passion, expertise, and innovative STEM teaching strategies to Houston this month for the 2026 Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). The 2025 National AFA Teachers of the Year (TOYs) were joined by 2021 National AFA TOY and Education Ambassador, Megan Tucker, and Susan Mallett, co‑lead of the National AFA/Rolls‑Royce Teacher of the Year program, forming a dynamic team representing AFA’s commitment to STEM excellence nationwide.

SEEC, hosted annually at Space Center Houston, brings together hundreds of educators for astronaut‑led discussions, hands‑on STEM workshops, curriculum development sessions, and networking with leading aerospace experts. This year’s event underscored the importance of innovative teaching—and the AFA educators made their mark through active participation and standout presentations.

Engaging with Leaders and Innovators in Space Education

Throughout the conference, the AFA team joined fellow space‑STEM educators in exploring emerging research, new technologies, and inspirational stories from astronauts and authors. They immersed themselves in sessions designed to stretch instructional strategies and fuel fresh approaches to teaching aerospace and STEM.

But their biggest impact came from their own session, “Innovation at Lift-off: Engaging Students with Real‑World STEM,” which earned enthusiastic praise from attendees.

Showcasing AFA’s Educational Impact

During the presentation, Virginia’s Megan Tucker highlighted the association’s Educator Grants, National Teacher of the Year program, and the wide range of support AFA provides to classroom teachers. Second‑place National TOY, Kala Grice‑Dobbins, introduced participants to AFA’s premier STEM competitions—CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers—and both she and Tucker reminded attendees that Civil Air Patrol’s STEM resources are available at no cost to AFA Chapter Teachers of the Year and chapter supported educators.

Educators attending the session not only learned about AFA programs—they experienced STEM in action through rotating hands‑on lessons led by the 2025 national awardees.

Hands‑On Learning from National Award Winners

Ashlie Smith – National TOY (1st Place), Mich.

Smith led attendees through an engaging NASA Solar Sail Engineering Design Challenge, a lesson that blends engineering, scientific inquiry, and real‑world space exploration.

Smith reflected deeply on what the conference—and the chance to represent AFA—meant to her.

“The incredible opportunity to attend SEEC and represent AFA alongside my fellow AFA National Teacher of the Year awardees was both an honor and a responsibility. We were able to share what the AFA is, how it champions educators, and how its support empowers teachers to inspire the next generation,” she said. “Beyond sharing our personal journeys to becoming national award winners, we connected with passionate aviation and aerospace educators from across the country, exchanged impactful STEM lessons, and learned from one another.”

Her takeaway captured the spirit of SEEC:

“SEEC is a powerful reminder that when educators come together with a shared mission, innovation and inspiration take flight. I am deeply grateful to AFA and Rolls-Royce for investing in us and encouraging us to serve as advocates for STEM education nationwide.”

Kala Grice‑Dobbins – National TOY (2nd Place), Ala.

Grice‑Dobbins delivered an energetic Space Foundation and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) rocketry lesson, complete with CAP‑provided rocket launchers—some given away to thrilled prize winners.

“I loved learning more about the wide diversity of space‑related lessons that can be taught and I brought back numerous ideas that can be immediately implemented with my students—as well as fellow coworkers,” Grice-Dobbins said. She shared how quickly the ideas from SEEC found their way back home.

“Throughout the conference, I was sending lesson ideas back to my school and fellow teachers, and they were implementing the lessons the next week,” she said. “Participants repeatedly expressed how much they appreciated having three hands‑on lessons in one session and seeing the diversity of approaches we each brought to the conference.”

“Showcasing what can be accomplished through AFA and CAP together highlighted the strength and impact of our programs,” she added. “Having all three of us attend and present allowed us not only to reach more educators but also to brainstorm and begin developing future lessons and presentations that combine our strengths. It was truly an amazing and impactful opportunity.”

Luke Becker – National TOY (3rd Place), Minn.

Becker engaged attendees with a creative activity from the NASA HUNCH program he integrates at his school, entitled Microgravity Dice Throwing. True to his inventive teaching style, he surprised participants with 3D‑printed teacher grading dice he made specially for the conference.

“SEEC was an amazing opportunity not only to share the AFA message and the information that makes our personal programs special, but to learn so many other ways, and examples, to provide life‑changing opportunities for our students,” Becker said. He emphasized how the event expanded his instructional toolbox and strengthened his resolve to innovate for his students.

Strengthening AFA’s Mission Through Educator Leadership

Across all three awardees, a common theme emerged: attending SEEC deepened their ability to serve as ambassadors for the Air & Space Forces Association and amplified the reach of AFA’s educational programs. By engaging directly with hundreds of teachers, they helped spread awareness of AFA and CAP resources, including materials and competitions that can transform students’ understanding of aerospace, technology, and national service.

Through opportunities like SEEC, AFA continues to grow as a national leader in STEM education—empowering teachers, enriching classrooms, and inspiring future generations to explore careers in aviation, space, and defense.

When educators like Ashlie, Kala, and Luke share their passion and expertise, the ripple effects reach tens of thousands of students. Their work ensures that innovation begins not just with lift‑off—but with learning.