AFA Chapter 160

The purpose of the Air Force Association Teacher of the Year Program is to recognize classroom teachers for their accomplishments and achievements in exciting K-12 students about science and math (STEM) and preparing them to use and contribute to tomorrow’s technologies. This is a unique opportunity for Chapter 160 to reward special teachers who are furthering excellence and making coming to class an adventure.

Chapter 160 will be able to recognize 1 teacher in the K-8 category and 1 teacher in the 9-12 category from the Chapter 160 area which includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Caroline, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Kent, and Queen Anne's counties. Chapter winners will then compete at the Maryland state AFA level.

The nomination process involves

Filling out the Teacher of the Year application (teacher & school information on page 2)
A one page narrative of the teacher’s accomplishment and achievements in support of STEM and the impact of these activities on the students
A letter of recommendation/support from a school official (principal or higher)
An optional three pages of newspaper articles, other documents, and/or photos that include the teacher with students completing STEM activities (ensure students in photos have media release permission for use) can also be submitted
The award period is from 1 May 2013 to 30 Apr 2014.

Teachers selected as the AFA Chapter 160 Teacher of the Year will receive a check for $250.00, AFA Certificate of Excellence, AFA tote bag, and a complimentary Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Membership sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol.

More details on the AFA Teacher of the Year Program are available on the AFA website at http://www.afa.org/informationfor/teachers/teacheroftheyear.

A list of 2013 AFA Teachers of the Year from across the U.S. is available at http://www.afa.org/informationfor/teachers/teacheroftheyear/ChapterTeacheroftheYearAwardWinners.

Deadline for submission is 27 April 2014. For submission details, contact the Chapter 160 President at president@afa160.org.

Congratulations to SrA Christopher McConkey for being selected for the Commandants Award at the Ft Meade Airman Leadership School Class 14-B graduation held at the McGill Training Center on 12 Feb 14. CMSgt Jorge Laurel, President of Chapter 160, presented SrA McConkey with his award and a 1 year membership to AFA.

The Commandant's Award at every Ft Meade ALS graduation is sponsored by AFA Chapter 160 and the 70 ISRW First Sergeants Council. The Commandant's Award is presented to the graduate who made the greatest overall contribution to the success of the class based on leadership, followership, support, interpersonal relations, and professional behavior.

On 9 Dec, Ft Meade held its fall Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduation ceremony. Over 90 USAF enlisted members were recognized for their achievement of completing all necessary classwork required for a CCAF associates degree.

Three graduates were selected for the AFA Pitsenbarger Award. The AFA Pitsenbarger Award provides a one-time grant of $400 to USAF enlisted personnel graduating from the CCAF who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Congratulations to MSgt Christopher Curp, TSgt Khadeja Taylor, and SrA Deborah Howe for being selected for the Pitsenbarger Award.