Lexington, Ky. – Fayette County Public Schools recognized educator Nathan Hoskins for his outstanding contributions to STEM education during a recent press conference. Hoskins, an aviation instructor at Eastside Technical Center, received the prestigious Air and Space Forces Association Teacher of the Year award for his efforts in advancing aviation education.
With a flying career that began in 1995, Hoskins emphasizes the importance of introducing students to aviation at a young age. “It’s very necessary to start the students at a young age to learn and progress towards an aviation career,” he stated. His program offers students opportunities to engage with aviation in ways that many might not have thought possible.
This recognition is specifically awarded to K–12 teachers who excel in advancing STEM education. Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Mark Roland praised Hoskins, noting that aviation serves as an excellent motivation for students to pursue STEM fields. “If you want to talk about enticing students to follow STEM and to follow STEM education, aviation is the perfect example,” he remarked.
Hoskins’s journey with Fayette County Public Schools began in an unexpected way. After receiving a heartfelt letter from one of his children asking for assistance in the bus garage, he pivoted from flying to driving. “I called the bus garage and said, ‘Hey, I know how to fly a plane. Can you teach me how to drive a bus?’” This experience allowed him to become more involved in the education system and laid the foundation for his future role in aviation instruction.
Under his leadership, students at Eastside Technical Center have access to flight simulators, airport visits, and hands-on experiences with airplanes. Hoskins stresses that the program’s success belongs to the students, stating, “The program is the students. My success and what I walk away with today—it’s the property of the students.”
The recognition of Hoskins serves as a reminder of the critical role educators play in providing a pathway for students into high-demand career fields like aviation. “A mile of highway you will leave today, and that mile of highway is going to take you a mile down the road. But a mile of runway will take you anywhere in the world,” he concluded, highlighting the limitless potential aviation holds for aspiring young professionals.
