Southwest Technology Center’s industrial technology instructor, Brian Chaney, recently received the Air Force Association Teacher of the Year award for his hard work and dedication to his students in the areas of math and science.

The purpose of the award is to recognize classroom teachers at the local chapter 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 for local chapters to reward special teachers who are furthering excellence and making coming to class an adventure.

In January, 1999, Brian Chaney became the electronics technology instructor. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year he became the industrial technology instructor.

He was born and raised in Altus and graduated from Navajo High School in 1994. In 1996, he earned an associate of applied science degree in electronic engineering from Oklahoma State University at Okmulgee and an associate of arts degree in general education from Western Oklahoma State College in 1997. He is also a 1998 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in technology education. He received his Oklahoma teaching certificate in August, 2000.

While in college, he worked as a cotton scout for Coakley Consultants and as a computer specialist for the Oklahoma Boll Weevil Association and was a member of the Technology Students of America Association at SWOSU.

He is married to the former Lisa Henriksen of Altus, they have one son, Charles, and are members of the First Baptist Church. He enjoys spending time with his wife and young son and working on his hobbies which include various electronics projects and reading.

During the 2009-2010 school year, Chaney’s students won the regional First Robotics Competition (FTC) in Dallas. They also won the Inspire award which is granted to the team that competes strongly not only in the robot challenge, but in leadership, teamwork, presentation, pit area, and engineering notebook. Both awards came with an automatic invitation to the World event held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta City Georgia. At the World event, Chaney’s students placed 39th. Chaney, said, “The FTC World

Competition was a lot more challenging than the regional contest. We were going against the best robots and teams not only in the nation, but several other countries such as Mexico, Holland, and Norway.” Chaney went on to say, “My students made a strong, versatile robot, but we learned it took good strategy to do well in this contest. If we have the opportunity to go to World again, we will definitely put more emphasis on strategy.”

Chaney was nominated for the Air Force Association award by SWTC campus director, B.F. “Jr” Rowland and now is in the running for the Air Force Association State Teacher of the year which will be awarded later this summer.