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AETC commander presents Educator of the Year awards

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The 2008-2009 Air Education and Training Command Educator of the Year Awards were presented Nov. 16 in a ceremony at the Maxwell Officers' Club's Daedalian Room.

Dr. Bruce Murphy, Air University Chief Academic Officer and master of ceremony for the event, said the AETC Educator of the Year awards are presented to the top enlisted, officer, and civilian faculty members at Air University.

"This highly competitive award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to AETC's educational mission during the academic year of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009," he said.

On hand for the ceremony was AETC Commander Gen. Stephen Lorenz who said he was invited to the current Board of Visitors meeting and to attend the awards presentation by Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Allen Peck.

"This is a big deal to recognize these AETC educators. One award is given to an officer, one to an enlisted member and one to a civilian member of Air University, and it is an honor and a privilege to recognize people who make such a significant difference. These three educators represent the many instructors who teach our young Airmen," he said.

Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Mathe took the honors in the enlisted category. His citation stated he distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service as the Chaplain's Assistant Apprentice Course instructor and as an Expeditionary Skills instructor at the Air and Space Basic Course.

"He was board-selected for the position of Expeditionary Skills instructor, thus fulfilling the Chief of Staff's initiative to retool ASBC, and becoming a part of the first team of enlisted instructors at officer professional military education," the citation said. "Within this capacity, Sergeant Mathe develops, maintains, instructs, evaluates and serves as subject matter expert for 3,640 officers and Department of Defense civilians annually at the Air Force's largest resident PME program."

Capt. Michael Batchelor was named the officer educator of the year because of his performance and service as the Commandant of Cadets at Oregon State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program.

"Specifically, he enhanced problem-solving and functions of management education by adding defined leadership competency evaluation criteria; project management conceptual tools; and a requirements-based budgeting process into the Leadership Laboratory and practical military training at the Detachment level," his citation reads. "Additionally, Captain Batchelor was instrumental in transforming over 400 hours of summer field training from a garrison setting and Airman's Manual-based training experience to an expeditionary environment, which was recognized as the most significant change to officer accession education in 60 years."

The civilian educator of the year award went to Dr. Richard Muller of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies for his role as an "international expert" on World War II and the German air force.

"Dr. Muller shares his great depth of knowledge in the classroom, demanding critical thinking and sharp debate on history and strategy. Students routinely acclaim him as 'the best instructor I've ever had,'" reads the citation for his award. "His enthusiasm, knowledge, and mastery of affective learning techniques are unsurpassed and serve as a model for other faculty who laud him as the person to ask when you have a teaching or writing question. His selection as associate dean acknowledges his long role as the expert for faculty advice and advocate for Air University."

General Peck told those in attendance that in the Daedalian Room they are surrounded by portraits of air legends such as Billy Mitchell, Jimmy Doolittle and Curtis LeMay, and for that reason, the room is one of his favorites places at Maxwell.

"The Daelalians are pilots with the motto: 'Volabamus-volamus,' 'we flew-we fly,' and there is a lot of history in this room," he said. "It is fitting that do this ceremony in this room with this body."

When asked what it felt like to win the award, Captain Bachelor said it was "both honoring and humbling" to be recognized among the thousands who do great things. Dr. Muller said it was a lot like winning the Stanley Cup because the cup is a team award and this award represents "the team I play on." Sergeant Mathe also felt humbled by the award, and said he wished the rest of his Expeditionary Skills team could share in the honor.