Recap: 2025 Choose Aerospace Teacher Training, presented by NORDAM

The fourth annual Teacher Training event took place June 3–5 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering three packed days of learning for Choose Aerospace program teachers and administrators. We’re grateful to the organizers, instructors, and attendees who made it a success. 

We started Tuesday with coffee, pastries, and introductions, welcoming more attendees from outside Oklahoma than from within—a sign of our growing national reach. Choose Aerospace Executive Director Crystal Maguire opened with an overview of the pathways to eligibility for airframe and powerplant certification. The morning continued with tips for using our new Learning Management System, SkilRedi, led by Director of Operations Kelly Filgo and the Clemson University Center for Workforce Development team, led by Rebecca Short. SkilRedi officially launches on August 1, with improved features for usability and functionality. 

This year, we revamped the hands-on training format. Instead of rotating quickly through all stations, participants joined cohorts based on their teaching needs for the coming year. Each lab began with a 30-minute theory session on Tuesday, followed by two days of hands-on practice in Tulsa Tech’s aviation maintenance hangar. Early feedback shows this model gave attendees stronger foundations and more focused time on labs they’ll teach soon. 
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On Wednesday and Thursday, fueled by snacks, coffee, and lunches from Tulsa Tech, participants practiced labs under the guidance of experienced Part 147 instructors from WSU Tech, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Tulsa Tech, and a retired instructor. Small groups of 4–6 ensured plenty of time for questions and interaction. 
Our goal was simple: to give attendees the knowledge and confidence to teach these labs effectively in the coming year. Judging by their feedback, this new model delivered.