AETC commander presents Educator of the Year awards Published Nov. 25, 2009 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) -- The 2008-2009 Air Education and Training Command Educator of the Year awards ceremony here Nov. 16 honored three individuals who made significant contributions to AETC's educational mission during the academic year. The AETC Educator of the Year awards are presented to the top enlisted, officer and civilian faculty members at Air University. "This highly competitive award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to AETC's educational mission during the academic year of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009," he said. Gen. Stephen Lorenz, the AETC commander, presented the awards. "This is a big deal to recognize these AETC educators," General Lorenz said. "It is an honor and a privilege to recognize people who make such a significant difference. These three educators represent the many instructors who teach our young Airmen." Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Mathe took the honors in the enlisted category. He is a Chaplain's Assistant Apprentice Course instructor and an expeditionary skills instructor at the Air and Space Basic Course. According to his award citation, he was board-selected for the position of expeditionary skills instructor, thus fulfilling the chief of staff's initiative to retool ASBC, and becoming a part of the first team of enlisted instructors at officer professional military education. Capt. Michael Batchelor was named the officer educator of the year because of his performance and service as the commandant of cadets at Oregon State University's ROTC program. According to his award citation, Captain Batchelor was instrumental in transforming more than 400 hours of summer field training from a garrison setting and Airman's Manual-based training experience to an expeditionary environment, which was recognized as the most significant change to officer accession education in 60 years. Captain Bachelor said it was "both honoring and humbling" to be recognized among the thousands who do great things. The civilian educator of the year award went to Dr. Richard Muller of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies for his role as an international expert on World War II and the German air force. The citation for his award states that Doctor Muller shares his great depth of knowledge in the classroom, demanding critical thinking and sharp debate on history and strategy. Doctor Muller said it was a lot like winning the Stanley Cup because the cup is a team award and this award represents, "the team I play on."