Aerospace Education Council: August 2026

August 31, 2026   |   By Gary Copsey

Educators’ Base Visit Program

This summer, AFA participated in the Air Force Recruiting Service Educator Tours at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, from July 20–23. The program brings STEM teachers from across the nation to experience U.S. Air Force technical training firsthand.

Laurie Orth, president of the GA137 East Georgia Chapter, attended as a teacher from Georgia. She also serves on our AFA Education Council team and is now the lead for the Educators’ Base Visit Program. Her participation gave her direct insight into the program and will help her administer AFA’s role in future visits.

This effort is a partnership with the Air Force Recruiting Service. AFA’s role is to help identify and recommend outstanding STEM teachers for participation.

Read more about the visit here.

Pitsenbarger Full Measure Award

The Full Measure Award program now has its first recipient: Sgt. Momomi Atkinson, USSF, who was nominated by Sijan Chapter. Here is why she won:

Sgt. Momomi M. Atkinson Background and Notable Accomplishments:

  • Pitsenbarger Fall of 2024 Award winner
  • Serves as a Mission Planning Cell Threat Hunter, where she coordinates unit exercises and mission execution and authored readiness documentation for 10 major joint and coalition cyber exercises, improving Delta-wide preparedness and operational integration
  • Below the Zone award winner
  • Recognized Top Performer in large-scale INDOPACOM exercise (top 1% of 900 Augmentees)
  • Coined by USFK Commander, Mission Delta 8 Commander, and 21 FSS Commander
  • Raised $36,000 for the Space Force Ball
  • 3.8 GPA, University of Maryland, B.S. Cyber Operations (Dean’s List, 75 college credit hours completed)
  • Planning to pursue a master’s in project management

“In 2026 alone, she served on our Teacher of the Year selection committee and participated in our Air Force JROTC presentation engagements,” said AFA’s Sijan Chapter President. “While presenting the Outstanding AFJROTC Cadet Award, Sergeant Atkinson served as a role model for the students, showing them what they could achieve just a few short years after graduation.”

Teacher of the Year

I am very pleased to announce that we have winners our top three Teacher of the Year!

The 2026-27 Thompson Mallett Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Rolls-Royce, is Lisa Werner from Wisconsin. Lisa is a STEM-focused music teacher who integrates aerospace concepts into her classroom with innovative projects like zero-gravity experiments, international collaborations, and virtual reality. Recognized with multiple awards, she promotes global STEM experiences, advocates for interdisciplinary teaching, and emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and resilience to inspire students to explore space, science, and their potential.

The second place went to Anthony “Tony” Frazier, an Aviation Technology instructor at Arlington Career Center in Arlington, Virginia, who is the Air & Space Forces Association’s 2026 Second Place AFA/Rolls-Royce National Teacher of the Year. A retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant, Frazier has transformed public school aviation education through FAA-aligned instruction, industry partnerships, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for military, collegiate, and commercial aviation careers while strengthening America’s future aerospace workforce.

The third-place winner is Thomas Sando, who is proving that world-class aerospace education can thrive in rural America. As an aviation instructor, Certified Flight Instructor, and Master Aviation Educator at the Williston Basin Career & Technical Education Center in North Dakota, he has built an innovative, hands-on program featuring flight simulation, drone operations, aircraft construction, and real-world aviation experiences. Through strong industry partnerships and more than $200,000 in grants and scholarships, Sando is expanding access to aerospace education while preparing for the next generation of pilots, engineers, technicians, and aerospace professionals.

Learn more about this year’s Teacher of the Year winners.

Research and Writing Awards

In 2025, the AEC coordinated with the Mitchell Institute to publish selected winning papers from the Research and Writing Awards. Two papers have been selected from this year’s winners:

Interested in Joining the AFA Education Council? Let me know!

Look forward to seeing everyone at National Harbor for the National Convention and the Air, Space & Cyber Conference!

Regards,

Gary Copsey

VCED@AFA.ORG