Steele Chapter Leader Earns Education Excellence Award

The Virginia Department of Education recognized Tony Frazier, vice president for aerospace education for the D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association and Virginia AFA Teacher of the Year, with a statewide education award.

On June 11, Frazier was honored in Richmond as the Region 4 winner of the Virginia Department of Education’s Creating Excellence Award for the 2026 Secondary Exemplary Program. The award recognized the Arlington Career Center’s Aviation Technology Program as an “Exemplary Aviation Program Model: Flight Simulators to FAA-Licensed Pilots.”

“This recognition belongs to our students. Their hard work, dedication and passion for aviation demonstrate what is possible when young people are given access to high-quality aerospace education and opportunities to pursue their dreams,” Frazier said.

Frazier, a retired Air Force technical sergeant, serves as the aviation technology instructor at Arlington Career Center, where he leads one of only five aviation programs of its kind in Virginia. The program serves 88 students and has a two-year waiting list.

Students prepare for Federal Aviation Administration knowledge exams leading to private pilot and Part 107 small unmanned aircraft systems certifications. During the 2026 testing cycle, his students achieved a 90% pass rate.

As the Steele Chapter’s vice president for aerospace education, Frazier helps advance AFA’s mission to educate the public about the importance of airpower, spacepower and aerospace education. He also has expanded the chapter’s outreach to Civil Air Patrol and Air Force JROTC units, encouraging greater student interest in STEM education and aviation careers while strengthening partnerships throughout Northern Virginia.

“Tony exemplifies the very best of AFA’s commitment to aerospace education. Through his passion for teaching, mentoring, and developing tomorrow’s aviation leaders, he has strengthened our chapter and expanded our impact throughout Northern Virginia,” Steele Chapter President Darian “DJ” Padilla said. “This recognition is richly deserved, and we are fortunate to have Tony on our leadership team.”

Through leaders like Frazier, the D.W. Steele Sr. Chapter continues to advance aerospace education, strengthen STEM opportunities and inspire tomorrow’s Airmen, Guardians and aviation professionals.