Trailblazing STEM Educator Award Open for Nominations 23 September 2024 – 1 December 2024

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The AIAA Foundation honors three outstanding educators for their contributions to the continued study of science, technology, engineering. and mathematics within the classroom and beyond. These awards are presented each year at the Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala.

More information about this award 

Award Recipients

2021

  • Dr Suzanne Banas
    South Miami Middle Community School
    Awarded
    Award: for creating an innovative classroom environment that instills the desire and capacity to live with compassion, integrity, and wisdom and the knowledge for students to put values into action in meaningful ways
  • Mark Westlake
    Saint Thomas Academy
    Awarded
    Award: for challenging students to ask questions that don’t have answers at the back of the book and to never be content with their first solution.
  • Leesa J Hubbard
    Wilson County Schools
    Awarded
    Award: for enthusiastically using the topic of aerospace education across the curriculum to motivate and inspire students of all ages and abilities throughout 35 years of teaching

2020

  • Elizabeth L Bero
    Horizon Elementary/Madison City Schools
    Awarded
    Award: for instilling a sense of wonder in students through curiosity-based learning and for her four-decade-long service to the community as an educator
  • Beth M Leavitt
    Wade Hampton High
    Awarded
    Award: for believing that with the right tools and mentors all students can become STEM literate with the confidence they can solve any problem encountered
  • Scott McComb
    Raisbeck Aviation High School
    Awarded
    Award: for implementing an outstanding program of aerospace education and creating a supportive classroom community of learners

2019

  • Mrs Charlotte M Cook
    Carver Magnet School
    Awarded
    Award: For bringing STEM practices into her school, district, and community by utilizing AIAA and other resources that open students’ eyes to endless possibilities.
  • Ms Patricia C Palazzolo
    Upper St. Clair High School
    Awarded
    Award: For encouraging students to pursue space- and STEM-related careers through hands-on projects and mentorship.

2017

  • Kevin Simmons
    BLUECUBE Aerospace | Wolpack CubeSat Dev Team
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For exemplifying what it means to be a true aerospace teacher through outstanding leadership and mentorship, thus inspiring students to achieve great things.
  • Ms Alexandra Kindrat
    St Thomas High School
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding teaching and sustained excellence in the implementation of authentic teaching practices and AIAA initiatives in the promotion of STEM at the secondary level.
  • Ms Tracey L Dodrill
    Cocopah Middle School
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For truly exemplary contributions to educating and empowering students every day to pursue STEM education and careers.
  • David A Root
    Lyons Township High School
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in empowering students through the use of integrative STEM learning activities.
  • Mrs Kathy A Biernat
    Zanilu Educational Services
    Awarded
    AIAA Citation: For 11 years of teaching science to grades 5-8 and challenging students to continually learn and reach for the stars.

2015

  • Paul A Wiedorn
    Wild Lake High School
    Awarded
    Award: Educator Achievement Award
  • Kaci A Heins
    Limitless Space Institute
    Awarded
    Award: Educator Achievement Award
  • Gary Garber
    Boston University Academy (High School)
    Awarded
    Award: Educator Achievement Award
  • Mrs Heather Stewart
    Paxton School
    Awarded
    Award: Educator Achievement Award
  • Mr Mohamad Omar Barbarji
    West Point High School
    Awarded
    Award: Educator Achievement Award

2013

  • Ms Lisa M Damian-Marvin
    Camden Hills Regional High School
    Awarded
  • Miss Elizabeth M Dabrowski
    Magnificat High School
    Awarded
  • Mrs Deborah C Swan
    Windsor Hills Magnet
    Awarded
  • Dr Joan M Labay-Marquez
    University of the Incarnate Word
    Awarded
  • Mr Sean A McCullough
    Anderson Districts I & II Career & Technology Center
    Awarded
  • Mr James A Weber
    Timberland High School
    Awarded
  • Ms Lanena R Berry
    Johnston Middle School
    Awarded

2011

  • Mrs Penny L Glackman
    Merion Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Christy L Garvin
    Kennedy Space Center/Teachers
    Awarded
  • Benjamin A McLuckie
    Hoonah City Schools
    Awarded
  • Chris Miko
    DiVinci Academy
    Awarded
  • Ms. Jill M Wall
    Farnsworth Aerospace Prek-8 Magnet
    Awarded
  • Dr Carl S Rapp
    Linwood Holton Governors School
    Awarded
  • Mr Roger L Kassebaum
    Founders Bootcamp
    Awarded

2009

  • Jessica Van Son
    Cascade Middle School
    Awarded
  • Richard L Crawford
    Retired Educator
    Awarded
  • Rachael L Manzer
    STEM Magnet School at Annie Fisher
    Awarded
  • Ms Lynn M Kollar
    North Ridge Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Mr Kenneth L Huff
    Williamsville Central School District
    Awarded
  • Mrs. Susan C Jukosky
    Indian River School
    Awarded
  • Miss Jeri A Martin
    Thomas L Sims Middle School
    Awarded

2007

  • Mr. Tim S Spuck
    Oil City Area Senior High School
    Awarded
  • Ricardo V Soria
    Doolittle Institute (501 (c)(3))
    Awarded
  • Lori L Derf
    Savannah-Chatham Public Schools
    Awarded
  • Mr. Russell L Billings
    Kearsley Community Schools
    Awarded
  • Mr. Richard D Glueck
    Orono Middle School
    Awarded
  • Mrs Nancy C Tashima
    NASA /JPL
    Awarded
  • Kareen Borders
    South Kipsap School District
    Awarded

2005

  • Mr. Brendan Casey
    Joan MacQueen Middle High School
    Awarded
  • Mrs. Dolores L Garay
    Redd School
    Awarded
  • Mrs. Paula M Leavitt
    James F. Doughty School
    Awarded
  • Brian Jackson
    Rocky VIew Schools
    Awarded
  • Mr. Bradley J Staats
    New London High School
    Awarded
  • Terry Sue S Fanning
    Moore County Schools
    Awarded

2003

  • Ms. Angela G Mitchell
    Windsor Forest High School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Ellen B Holmes
    Maine Education Association
    Awarded
  • Ms. Joy D Reeves
    Claremont Math & Science Academy
    Awarded
  • Mr. Christian E Laster
    Russell Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Jennifer R Linrud Sinsel
    Wichita Collegiate Middle School
    Awarded
  • Tanya L Wright
    La Sentia Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Mr. Brett B Williams
    Fredericksburg High School Aeroscience Program
    Awarded

2000

  • Ms. Penny S Valentini
    Centerville City Schools
    Awarded
  • Kathleen A Foy
    Rock Island Trail Retreat
    Awarded
  • Mrs. Karen K Hall
    La Porte High School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Sara Ewing
    Sheldon R-VII
    Awarded
  • Dr Stephanie M Wright
    Delaware Aerospace Academy
    Awarded

1999

  • Ms. Sue A McInerney
    Martin Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Mr. John J Henrici
    DuVal High School
    Awarded
  • Mrs. Carolyn S Harden
    Harden & Associates, Inc.
    Awarded
  • Mr Dan Caron
    WinnAero
    Awarded
  • Mr. Alan G Horowitz
    Awarded
  • Mr. Anthony R Matarazzo
    Northeast High School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Virginia R Davis
    Motlow State Community College
    Awarded
  • Mr. Paul Stengel
    ShoreHam-Wading River High School
    Awarded

1997

  • Ms. Juanita V Ryan
    Toyon Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Carol Hodanbosi
    Barberton High School
    Awarded
  • Lt Col Stephen M Rocketto
    Civil Air Patrol
    Awarded
  • Ms. Angela DiNapoli
    Newman Elementary School
    Awarded
  • Ms. Cyndee D Collier
    Awarded
  • Ms Juliet Allen Sisk
    Space Coast High School
    Awarded