Lawton, OK- Lawton Public Schools teachers Dr. Jan Thomas, Tomlinson Middle School (K-8 Category) and Terry Brandenburg, Lawton High School (9-12 category) were named the 2018 Altus Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter 342 Teachers of the Year in their respective category. \r\n

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“It is a real honor to receive the AFA’s Teacher of the Year award, especially since I am a career Infantryman and not nearly as smart as the Air Force guys,” said Brandenburg. “Receiving the same award as Dr. Jan Thomas is very special, as she was my professor in a master’s class at Cameron.”\r\n

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The three pillars of the AFA are to educate, advocate and support education and teachers. “The STEM disciplines is what we focus on,” said Riq Baldwin, Chapter 342 president. Thomas and Brandenburg were both “selected because of their participation and teaching of those activities.”\r\n

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The Chapter also submitted Dr. Thomas as their nominee for the state recognition. During a school-wide presentation, Baldwin announced that she will represent the state as the AFA State Teacher of the Year and will move on as a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.\r\n

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“I am honored and blessed beyond words to represent the State of Oklahoma as the AFA State Teacher of the Year,” said Thomas. “I owe this award to Lawton Public Schools for investing years and hours of professional development opportunities in me, especially in the areas of Technology, Science and Math.” \r\n

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Baldwin presented accoutrements, an AFA Chapter membership and a $250 check to each teacher on Monday, April 23. Dr. Thomas will officially be recognized at the AFA Oklahoma Convention on June 23. If you are interested in learning about more AFA programs available for teachers and students, please visit www.afa.org.  \r\n

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Congratulations Dr. Thomas and Mr. Brandenburg!
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