Our mission is to provide motivation for young people to understand the need for a strong aerospace force component of our national defense posture. Scholarships and financial support are provided to allow our youth to participate in aerospace programs in which they might not otherwise be able to participate. Providing these awards and scholarships requires funds. The Dallas Aerospace Education Foundation of the Sam Johnson Chapter 232 that supports these programs is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are fully deductible. Contributions should be sent to Mr. Ric Hamer, at 1965 Remington Lane, Frisco, TX 75033. Feel free to contact Ric at 214-500-0951 or by e-mailing Ric Hamer. Any amount is valuable and appreciated.
SAM JOHNSON CHAPTER TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The purpose of the program is to recognize classroom teachers at the chapter and state level for their accomplishments and achievements in exciting K-12 students about science and math (STEM) and preparing them to use and contribute to tomorrow's technologies. This is a unique opportunity to reward special teachers who are furthering excellence and making coming to class an adventure. The winner of our chapter contest receives a cash award, and is entered into competition at the State level, where a larger cash award can be earned, and the winner at that level is entered into an AFA National Teacher of the Year contest. If you wish to nominate a teacher contact Ric Hamer at 214-500-0951 or by e-mailing Ric Hamer.
2025 Winner
Robert Travis Burton - School for the Talented and Gifted Dallas Independent School District
Robert “Travis” Burton is an excellent computer science teacher. He began his teaching career
at Samuel Clemens High School, in Schertz, Texas. At Clemens he founded the school’s
computer science department. Over the next several years he fostered the computer science
program at that school to make Clemens the premier high school computer science program in
the San Antonio area, with his students often winning the University Interscholastic League’s
(UIL) district competitions by a wide margin. During his ten-year employment at Clemens he
developed and delivered his own curriculum that led to 95% of his students earning a qualifying
score on the AP Computer Science A exam (well over the ~67% global pass rate his last year).
The College Board recognized him for his successes at Clemens and invited him to become an
Endorsed Consultant. As an Endorsed Consultant, Travis trained teachers throughout the year
from all parts of the world to better serve their students in the classroom. Teachers sign up for
his training multiple times to learn how to improve their understanding of the subject matter and
their pedagogy. In 2019, Facebook and College Board deemed him a “Master Teacher” and
invited him to be one of eight speakers at the Computer Science Teachers Summit at Facebook
headquarters in Menlo Park, California. There he spoke to a room of new and inexperienced
computer science teachers to help grow our national computer science program.
Beyond his work as an Endorsed Consultant, Travis also develops national curriculum for
College Board. Meeting with other experts, he creates and refines materials (free of charge) for
classroom teachers. He is often sought out for his creativity and dependability to write
curriculum, review materials, or assessment items.
After ten years at Clemens he was invited to teach at the School for the Talented and Gifted
(TAG) in Dallas, Texas. At TAG he has quickly become an integral part of the staff. Much like at
Clemens, he was quickly invited to serve on the school’s leadership team where he helps guide
the direction of school policies to best serve students and the goals of the school. During his
time at TAG, 99.5% of Mr. Burton’s AP Computer Science A students have earned a qualifying
score on their AP exam. At TAG Mr. Burton coaches the UIL Computer Science competition
team where one of his students has earned first place at the State competition since he arrived
and started coaching the team in 2020.
Mr. Burton helps guide students through their varied passion projects. One such project,
FoodNex, assists those facing food insecurity in the Dallas area. Mr. Burton gives space to allow
students to take ownership of their projects, but provides enough direction to keep the projects
focused and on-track. He is seen as a resource on campus for students competing in the
Congressional App Challenge (where FoodNex started) or for the many other passion projects
students undertake, such as learning Data Mining or 3D rendering.
Often Mr. Burton visits other school districts to assist their teachers and students. Recently (Feb
22nd) he travelled to Irving ISD to help bring up their AP Computer Science A exam pass rates.
Mr. Burton met with students for most of his time there, giving them strategies and tips for the
exam as well as direct content instruction. He also met with Irving ISD staff to give them
direction on steps to take to create a culture of success in their classrooms.
