Air Force Association honors teacher from TCA

The Air Force Association Lincoln Chapter 187 recently honored an instructor at The Career Academy with the organization’s local and state teacher of the year awards.

Representatives from the Air Force Association presented the awards on Nov. 18 to Dan Nickel, who teaches IT networking.

Air Force Association chapters worldwide annually recognize teachers at both the chapter and state levels. The awards recognize classroom teachers for their ability to excite K-12 students about science, technology, engineering and math, as well as their success in preparing students to use and contribute to future technologies. 

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Nickel is coach of TCA’s three Cyberpatriot teams. In national competitions, thousands of students are tasked with troubleshooting problems that occur with software and media. The Air Force Association sponsors TCA’s Cyberpatriot teams, which regularly are among the best in the country.

Nickel also has solicited equipment donations from local businesses for special student projects, facilitated industry-sponsored scholarships for his students and assisted students in finding summer internships. Several of his former students have chosen to pursue a degree in the IT field and make it their career choice. 

Nickel received a $1,000 check for winning the awards, which he can put toward his teaching.

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