North Dakota teacher named 2025 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year

DAYTON, OH, March 26, 2025—The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is proud to announce that Thomas M. Sando, aviation instructor at Williston High School and the Williston Basin CTE Center in Williston, North Dakota, has been selected as this year’s A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year.

Sando has developed a dynamic classroom that includes hands-on projects, field trips to industry-leading facilities, and mentorship that guides students toward careers in aviation. For example, his creation of a rotating module that can be used across schools in the Williston region has expanded aerospace education access, engaging students from multiple school districts. His grant applications have led to many awards, including an $80,000 award from the Robert E. Herman Foundation. He also has organized educational field trips to the University of North Dakota’s aviation program, the Grand Forks air traffic control tower, and the Cirrus Aircraft Factory. Supporting workforce development, Sando has taken students to the Fly-ND Career Expo and worked over 35 hours at the Pilot Proficiency Center at AirVenture Oshkosh.

“Thomas has transformed aerospace education within our community,” writes his nominator and colleague Katie Brew, “sparking a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and aviation careers in students across northwest North Dakota. Thomas’s innovative approach to aerospace education is evident in every aspect of his program.”

Says Sando, “Aerospace education is more than a subject. It is a gateway to curiosity, innovation, and opportunity. Watching my students grow, develop new skills, and pursue their dreams is the most rewarding aspect of my work. I am proud to contribute to shaping the next generation of aviation professionals and to share my passion for this dynamic field with students, colleagues, and the community.”

“Thomas Sando exemplifies what it means to be a visionary aerospace educator,” said Aimee Maruyama, President and CEO of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. “His hands-on, community-centered approach to teaching aviation not only opens doors for students in North Dakota but also serves as a national model for engaging young people in STEM and aviation careers. We are proud to recognize his outstanding contributions with the 2025 A. Scott Crossfield Award.”

Sando’s other recent honors and awards include the following:

• NDCTE Director’s Award of Excellence, presented to the Williston High School Aviation Technology Program by the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Department (2024)
• Williston 20 Under 40, recognized for contributions to education and community impact (2024)
• Master Aviation Educator, the only high school aviation instructor with this designation (2024)
• FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Membership, actively engaged in promoting aviation safety and education (2024)
• A Distigushed Flight Instructor award from AOPA flight training experience (2025)

Sando will be honored at the President’s Reception on September 18, 2025, as part of the NAHF 61st Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony in Wichita, Kansas. Over 600 people— including aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and several returning Enshrinees—are expected to attend two days of events. The events are open to the public by advance registration only. For more information, visit nationalaviation.org or call 937-256-0944 ext.16.

About the Award

The A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year award was founded in 1986 by NAHF Enshrinee, engineer and test pilot A. Scott Crossfield (1921–2006). Positively influenced by teachers in his life, Crossfield created the annual award to recognize an exemplary K-12 American classroom teacher for innovative use of aerospace to inspire young people toward a greater interest in STEM subjects and potential aerospace-related careers. Presented annually by the NAHF, the Crossfield Award pays tribute to teachers who go above the norm to conduct outstanding aerospace educational programs in the classroom and beyond. Visit our award page for more details on the award and on nominating an inspiring educator who is shaping the future of aerospace.

About the National Aviation Hall of Fame

The National Aviation Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, is the only Congressionally chartered aviation hall of fame in the United States. Based in Dayton, Ohio, the NAHF’s Heritage Hall & Education Center is committed to informing the public about American aviation heroes, their accomplishments, and their impact on advances in aviation from early flight to space travel. The NAHF strives to create a distinctive educational resource that will inspire future generations to appreciate our nation’s extraordinary aviation heritage through the men and women who created it.