Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) Outreach Director Dr. Todd Brown, PhD. was recently recognized as the “STEM teacher of the Year” by the Florida West Coast chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA). The award was presented to Dr. Brown in October at the Sarasota Military Academy Prep middle school campus.
Nominated by SMA-COL Tom Vara, Head of School for Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Dr. Brown received accolades for his previous achievements and the “Inspire Project” curriculum, a program of Dr. Brown’s creation that connects SMA cadets with global experts and guest speakers in a variety of topics through Project Earth, Project Equality and Project Health.
In the letter written to the association, by SMA-COL Vara, Dr. Brown is described as “truly inspirational, not only to our cadets but our entire staff, the SMA community and those like-minded individuals around the globe that seek ways to use education as a powerful tool to inspire young people to make connections and have a positive impact on the world around them.”
As the SMA Outreach Director, Dr. Brown’s role includes enhancing the Academy’s curriculum and programs to bring new opportunities to cadets at the SMA high school and Prep middle school campuses.
Previously, Dr. Brown has received the “Ignite Innovation” award from the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and serves as a Teach Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador for the United Nations, the Henry Ford Innovator Award, and he is currently involved in a prestigious, year-long CDC fellowship. This year, he coordinated the inaugural SMA Education Summit for professionals around the region; conducted a workshop and gave a keynote address at the Shekou SDG’s conference in Shekou, China as well as Shanghai in September and was invited to speak at the 2019 Global IB Conference held in New Orleans.
The award, presented by AFA Florida West Coast chapter President Mike Richardson, was coordinated with Tracy Spalsbury, Director of Marketing & Communications at the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
About the Air Force Association Florida West Coast chapter
The Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. It has nearly 100,000 members in more than 200 chapters worldwide. About 250 AFA members live in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Florida West Coast Chapter is the newest AFA chapter in Florida – receiving its original charter in October 2011.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school, college preparatory academy and an accredited IB Diploma and Middle Years Programme (MYP) School with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor, and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
PHOTO ID: Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) Executive Director of Schools Christina Bowman, SMA Outreach Director Dr. Todd Brown, Air Force Association Florida West Coast chapter President Mike Richardson and SMA Prep Head of School Tom Vara.
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