Aerospace Education Council Update: June 2024 

June 27, 2024   |   By Stephen Gourley

It’s election season! I’m not referring to November, but to AFA’s own elections in September. (Learn the new process here.) Two Director-at-Large positions, an Area Director, and three Board officers are up for your consideration and choice—including replacing the Vice Chair of the Board for Education (me!). The final slate of candidates will be announced soon (June 28). Take some time and become familiar with the current slate of dedicated folks looking to represent you in the governance of our Association.

The deadline for nominations for the Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year coming up on Sunday, June 30, the TOY committee will soon be hard at work trying to discern which nomination is most deserving of this prestigious award. As always, we look forward to a presentation by our new Thompson-Mallett TOY at National Convention.

Summer camps for CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers also are underway, as is registration for the 2025-2026 season for both programs. Just before Labor Day, our Educator Grant application window opens. Summer is a relatively idle time for school districts and, therefore, a good time to contact local educators as they prepare for the coming academic year. We have much to offer them.

One important item of business: after many years of dedicated service to the Education Council, Sharon Branch is moving on to greater challenges. The Council has an opening for an Executive Administrator to keep it in order. Please contact me at vced@afa.org to join us in all we do for you and our Association.

To wit, a month doesn’t go by when your Education Council isn’t continuing all its good work. Check out these summaries of recent activities:

Enjoy time with friends and family this summer, be safe, and go forth and do good things!

Stephen K. Gourley

Vice Chair of the Board, Education