The Air & Space Forces Association, in partnership with Rolls-Royce, selected its 2026 Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year, along with two runners up. The three were recognized for their extraordinary work in science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM) and their focus on aerospace applications.
Lisa Werner
Lisa Werner, a PreK-8 music and STEM educator at St. Bruno Parish School in Dousman, Wis., earned top National Teacher of the Year honors for her innovative approach to connecting music, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and aerospace. Werner has created a nationally recognized program demonstrating that aerospace education can thrive in every classroom—even music education.
Through hands-on experiences in coding, robotics, engineering, flight, space science, and sound, she gives students authentic opportunities to solve problems, conduct research, and develop skills essential to America’s future aerospace and STEM workforce. Her students have even designed experiments for zero-gravity flight, including research into how sound behaves in microgravity. Beyond St. Bruno, Werner works with NASA, Space Foundation, Space for Teachers, Limitless Space Institute, Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms, and other national and international organizations to bring real-world aerospace experiences into the classroom while helping educators replicate innovative learning opportunities.
As the 2026 national winner, Werner will serve as AFA’s National Teacher Ambassador, representing the Association’s commitment to inspiring students to pursue careers in air, space, cyber, and STEM and equipping educators with approaches that can expand America’s aerospace workforce pipeline. “STEM education is for everyone,” she says of her work—and capturing the mission of the AFA/Rolls-Royce Teacher of the Year program.
Second Place: Anthony “Tony” Frazier
Earning second place is Anthony “Tony” Frazier, an Aviation Technology instructor at the Arlington Career Center in Arlington, Va., who served nearly 20 years in uniform. He has spent nine years transforming a public high school aviation program into a proven pipeline for students pursuing military service, collegiate aviation, commercial flight, and unmanned aircraft systems careers.
Through FAA-aligned instruction, flight simulation, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences, his students have earned FAA pilot certificates, entered Navy flight training, gained admission to leading aviation programs, secured airline internships, and launched aerospace careers.
Third Place: Thomas Sando
Thomas Sando, an aviation instructor at the Williston Basin Career & Technical Education Center in Williston, N.D., has built one of the state’s premier high school aviation programs, giving rural students hands-on opportunities in flight simulation, engineering, drones, aircraft systems, aviation maintenance.
Through airport and air traffic control tours, university and industry visits, STEM competitions, and introductory flights, he connects classroom learning to real-world aerospace careers. His students have gone on to earn FAA certifications, pursue collegiate and military aviation, and launch careers throughout the aerospace industry.