Air and Space Forces Association honors TCALC instructor for STEM teaching; presents certificate and $750 check

The Frye chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association honored a Topeka Public Schools STEM teacher for classroom work that the chapter said readied students for careers in cybersecurity, space and other STEM fields.

Stu Ance, president of the Kansas chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association, told the board the association seeks teachers whose instruction produces students with skills relevant to Air and Space Force missions. The chapter presented a local teacher with a state teacher of the year certificate, a jacket and a $750 check during the board meeting.

Why it matters: The association described programs such as CyberPatriots (a cybersecurity program) and an aerospace pathway and said it looks for classrooms that provide hands‑on learning; the board framed the award as recognition of the district’s STEM work and pipeline to technical careers. Board members thanked the teacher and the association for recognizing classroom innovation.

Teacher remarks: A TCALC instructor described the district’s engineering and robotics pathway: “We build robots for the VEX tournament…We competed at the KU high school design challenge. We built an airplane and a tower,” the teacher said, noting teams had recently competed at VEX Worlds and other contests.

Next steps: The board and association planned a photo opportunity and public appreciation; no board action was recorded. The district said it would share the recognition and thanked the association for supporting STEM instruction in local schools.