National STEM Academy at the Museum of Aviation to Recognize 2018 Georgia STEM Teachers of the Year

Warner Robins, GA – The Museum of Aviation’s National STEM Academy congratulates Ms. Becky Busby of Frank Long Elementary School in Liberty County; Ms. Clare Gravolet, Ms. Tonya Green, Mr. Robert Russo, Mr. Jonathan Dunton and Ms. Athalia James of Ronald E. McNair Middle School in DeKalb County; and Dr. Renuka Rajasekaran of Luella High School in Henry County for being selected as the 2018 STEM Teachers of the Year! Each Georgia STEM Teacher or Team of Teachers of the Year was presented with a cash award of $1,000 each during the 8^th Annual Georgia NASA STEM Conference for Educators.

                                                   Becky Busby, Frank Long Elementary—Elementary STEM Teacher of the Year

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Teacher of the Year Awards is open to Elementary, Middle, & High School Teachers and Teaching Teams that exemplify STEM efforts in a Georgia classroom. The deadline for nominations was in June.

(Pictured from left to right) Robert Russo, Tonya Green, Clare Gravolet, Athalia James (Not pictured, Jonathan Dunton) from Ronald E. McNair Middle School—Middle School STEM Team of the Year

“We recognize how important it is for students to participate in STEM.  Teachers are making a difference in the future of Georgia’s workforce,” said Melissa Spalding, Museum of Aviation Director of Education. “The Museum of Aviation is proud to support teachers with training opportunities, resources, and this STEM award competition.”

The STEM Teacher of the Year Award Competition has been held for the past six years by the National STEM Academy, thanks to generous sponsorships.  The competition is open to elementary, middle, and high school teachers from all Georgia schools.  Many teachers work together in teams and have the option to apply together. Winning teams split the $1000 prize.

On Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 12:45 p.m., during the GA NASA STEM Conference, the teachers received their awards.  The award ceremony was located in the Century of Flight Hangar at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, GA.

                                          Dr. Renuka Rajasekaran, Luella High School—High School STEM Teacher of the Year

More than 56,000 students and teachers took part in Museum-offered education programs and classes last year.  For more information on the STEM Teacher of the Year Awards and the upcoming GA NASA STEM Conference for Educators, please visit www.museumofaviation.org.