AFA’s 2023 Teacher of the Year Winners
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
2023 National Teacher of the Year
Bill McInnish
Bill McInnish is a 9th-12th grade CTE instructor of Aviation Fabrication and Assembly Technician and Private Pilot Ground School classes at Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Fla. He was nominated by AFA’s Florida Space Coast Chapter #309.
McInnish has taught at Eau Gallie High School since 2015 where he established the Aviation Fabrication and Assembly program, the first program of its kind in the nation. By providing hands-on engineering experience with real planes, the program awards high school students with National Aerospace/Aircraft Assembly certifications, enabling them to find work as entry-level aircraft technicians right out of high school.
Second Place: Ty White
David Tyrel “Ty” White teaches high school chemistry and science at Wilcox High School in Wilcox, Ariz. Nominated for Teacher of the Year by AFA’s Arizona Cochise Chapter #107, White’s passion lies in bringing STEM experiences to rural schools.
Third Place: Colleen Cain
Colleen Cain is a 7th grade science teacher at Larson Middle School in Troy, Mich. She was nominated by AFA’s Michigan Mt. Clemens “Selfridge” Chapter #179 and has been inspiring students with STEM for 18 years as a National Geographic Certified Teacher.
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!