Scott Crossfield Foundation Recognizes Aerospace-Minded Educators

Who among us doesn't know a very special teacher... the one who influenced our lives, and even changed the way we looked at the skies and stars? The non-profit Scott Crossfield Foundation, which continues the legacy of the storied aviator, tells ANN the deadline for nominations for its 2010 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award is May 1.

The award was created and funded in 1986 by Scott Crossfield, and was awarded annually under the stewardship of the Civil Air Patrol during the National Congress on Aerospace Education, now called the National Conference on Aerospace Education (NCASE). After Crossfield's death in 2006, and the shift of NCASE from an annual to biannual conference, Scott's daughter, Sally Crossfield Farley, moved the award to the National Aviation Hall of Fame -- where it is now presented during the Enshrinement Weekend each July in Dayton, OH.

"This award is in memory of the school teachers who influenced Scott his entire life," Sally Crossfield Farley told ANN. "Its objective is to recognize and reward aerospace education teachers for outstanding achievement in aerospace education and to encourage further achievement in teaching aerospace. It is dedicated to the past recipients, who, in addition to having proven their dedication and worth to aerospace education, have all gone on to greater contributions of major significance." 

The deadline for nominations is May 1. The annual contest is open to current classroom teachers from grades K through 12 from any public, private or parochial school. Nominees must either teach aerospace education as a subject, or use aerospace education to enrich the teaching of traditional subjects.

Although the Crossfield Award is an award presented to a teacher, the accomplishments of the nominee need not be limited to the year for which the award is given. The award recognizes dedicated and talented aerospace education teachers who:

• Set high standards for students and demand excellence in student performance.
• Strive to improve their personal academic competence and teaching ability.
• Perform their teaching duties in an exemplary manner, resulting in true learning by students.
• Demonstrate creativity in developing and utilizing materials to enhance the teaching of aerospace.
• Maximize student involvement and classroom activities to improve student learning or create and develop a one-time project or program of such significance that it has a major impact on the teaching of aerospace education.

A review committee consisting of a legendary aviator, a past Crossfield winner, aviation experts, and Crossfield family members will examine qualifying nominations for documentation of a teacher’s abilities to enhance teaching effectiveness, demonstrate honorable attributes and personal improvement, and maintain high standards for their students and themselves.

The selected educator and their guest will receive an all expenses paid trip to Dayton for the annual NAHF President’s Reception and Dinner on Friday, July 16, where the Crossfield Award recipient will be presented a $1,500 cash stipend as a featured part of the program. Additionally, the recipient and their guest will be hosted by the NAHF at the Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony, held at the Dayton Convention Center the following evening.

FMI: www.nationalaviation.org, www.scottcrossfieldfoundation.org