AFA Announces Top STEM Educators for 2026
August 19, 2026 | By Susan Mallett
The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), in partnership with Rolls-Royce, proudly announces the 2026 national winners of the Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year award, recognizing three extraordinary educators for their innovative contributions to aerospace-focused STEM education. Through creativity, hands-on learning, and strong community partnerships, these educators are inspiring students to pursue careers in air, space, cyber, and STEM while helping strengthen America’s future aerospace workforce.
First Place: Lisa Werner
Lisa Werner, a PreK-8 music and STEM educator at St. Bruno Parish School in Dousman, Wis., is taking top honors for her innovative approach to connecting music, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and aerospace. Werner has created a nationally recognized program demonstrating that aerospace education can thrive in every classroom—even music education. Through hands-on experiences in coding, robotics, engineering, flight, space science, and sound, she gives students authentic opportunities to solve problems, conduct research, and develop skills essential to America’s future aerospace and STEM workforce. Her students have even designed experiments for zero-gravity flight, including research into how sound behaves in microgravity.
Beyond St. Bruno, Werner works with NASA, Space Foundation, Space for Teachers, Limitless Space Institute, Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms, and other national and international organizations to bring real-world aerospace experiences into the classroom while helping educators replicate innovative learning opportunities. As the 2026 national winner, Werner will serve as AFA’s National Teacher Ambassador, representing the Association’s commitment to inspiring students to pursue careers in air, space, cyber, and STEM and equipping educators with approaches that can expand America’s aerospace workforce pipeline. Her belief that “STEM education is for everyone” captures the spirit of her work—and the mission of the AFA/Rolls-Royce National Teacher of the Year program.
“Lisa Werner is showing her students that exploration belongs in every classroom,” said Candice Bineyard, the Executive Vice President, U.S. Business Development and Future Programs at Rolls-Royce North America. “By turning real scientific data into music and creating opportunities for students to experience science in entirely new ways, she is building the curiosity and problem-solving skills our industry depends on. Rolls-Royce is proud to join AFA in recognizing Lisa and the extraordinary impact teachers like her have on the next generation.”
Werner will receive a $3,000 award and the diamond AFA National Teacher of the Year pin during AFA’s National Convention and Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., in September 2026.
Second Place: Anthony “Tony” Frazier
Earning second place is Anthony “Tony” Frazier, an Aviation Technology instructor at Arlington Career Center in Arlington, Va., who served nearly 20 years in uniform. He has spent nine years transforming a public high school aviation program into a proven pipeline for students pursuing military service, collegiate aviation, commercial flight, and unmanned aircraft systems careers. Through FAA-aligned instruction, flight simulation, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences, his students have earned FAA pilot certificates, entered Navy flight training, gained admission to leading aviation programs, secured airline internships, and launched careers across the aerospace industry.
As Vice President for Aerospace Education for AFA’s D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter, Frazier connects students with military, industry, and higher-education leaders while helping hundreds of students explore aviation and STEM careers. He also mentors educators and shares his program model to help other schools expand aviation education. His leadership earned the Arlington Career Center Aviation Program Virginia’s 2026 Creating Excellence Award for Secondary Career and Technical Education.
As a national AFA/Rolls-Royce Teacher of the Year recipient, Frazier will receive a $2,000 award and serve as an AFA Education Ambassador, sharing innovative practices that inspire students and strengthen America’s future air, space, and cyber workforce.
Third Place: Thomas Sando
Thomas Sando, an aviation instructor at the Williston Basin Career & Technical Education Center in Williston, N.D., has built one of the state’s premier high school aviation programs, giving rural students hands-on opportunities in flight simulation, engineering, drones, aircraft systems, aviation maintenance, and career exploration. Through airport and air traffic control tours, university and industry visits, STEM competitions, and introductory flights, he connects classroom learning to real-world aerospace careers. His students have gone on to earn FAA certifications, pursue collegiate and military aviation, and launch careers throughout the aerospace industry.
Sando’s impact extends well beyond his classroom. As a Certified Flight Instructor, FAA Safety Team Representative, Master Aviation Educator, and AOPA National Teacher Trainer, he has provided more than 650 hours of flight instruction and helped educators develop aviation programs nationwide. Through the Western Star Aviation Foundation, which he co-founded, he has helped secure more than $200,000 in grants, scholarships, equipment, and educational resources, including support for student-built aircraft and introductory flights. Sando’s work demonstrates how strong partnerships can overcome geographic and financial barriers while expanding access to aviation education and strengthening America’s aerospace workforce pipeline.
For his accomplishments, Sando will receive a $1,000 award and serve as an AFA Aerospace Education Ambassador. His work exemplifies how STEM education can equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to solve real-world problems and pursue careers in aviation and aerospace.
Empowering the Future Through Aerospace STEM
Through its Teacher of the Year program, AFA celebrates the critical role educators play in shaping tomorrow’s innovators, aviators, engineers, and aerospace professionals. Lisa Werner, Tony Frazier, and Thomas Sando are turning classrooms into launchpads for careers in aerospace.
The stories of these AFA Education Ambassadors are powerful reminders of the transformative impact of passionate, visionary teaching. By connecting students with real-world aerospace experiences and helping educators expand access to STEM learning, they are inspiring the next generation and helping build the skilled workforce America needs to lead in air, space, cyber, and technology.
The AFA Mary Anne Thompson/Susan Mallett National Aerospace/STEM Teacher of the Year program is proudly sponsored by Rolls-Royce.
About AFA
The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on airpower and spacepower. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air Force and Space Force.