Air Force Reservist wins Teacher of the Year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Modestly understating the accomplishment, a schoolteacher-Citizen Airman assigned here is looking toward future challenges, savoring inspirational words of her peers and integrating Air Force Reserve skills into a continuing drive for excellence after earning accolades.

Senior Airman Patricia Innocent, manager of the newcomer flight for Air Force Reserve Command's 482nd Fighter Wing, earned the Teacher of the Year award at the Barbara Hawkins Elementary School in North Miami-Dade County. She has been teaching at the Miami public elementary school for 12 years and is in the 14th year of her military career.

Winning the award at the school level gave Airman Innocent an opportunity to meet with other first-round winners at the district level competition, reevaluate and strengthen her commitment to her students and explore ways in which her military career enhances her ability to excel in the classroom.

"There are just so many deserving teachers. I was really surprised [to learn of her award]," said Airman Innocent. Barbara Hawkins Elementary has more than 25 teachers, each one casting a vote in the selection process for the award.

She was notified of her selection during a staff meeting and word spread quickly to her students, who congratulated her with a small party.

"They were so happy for me, it really meant a lot," she added.

Airman Innocent was especially moved during the district-wide presentation ceremony, where several teachers talked about the social imperatives and desired outcomes driving the teaching profession.

"There were great stories. There were stories about 'teaching from the heart,' which is something I understand and believe in. [In the classroom] we aren't just teachers, we're mothers and nurses too," she said.

The Airman-teacher realizes that in a perfect world many of the things she takes on in the classroom would best be handled at home, yet she paints the situation with positive brush strokes, describing herself as comfortable and very happy with the expanded role of her profession.

Part of Airman Innocent's classroom comfort level seems directly related to interpersonal skills and experiences from her military life.

"I'm able to maintain a high level of decorum, respect and professionalism in the classroom," she said. "My military experience gives me the strength to be a firm teacher," she added. The Airman-teacher defines this "firmness" as the promotion of honesty and fairness, and adds that her military service gives her confidence in a realization that she's providing a positive role model for students.

Moving forward, Airman Innocent sees her uniformed and civilian careers evolving in unison.

"Education moves very quickly; ways of teaching and technology are always changing," she said. But this need for continuous skills enhancement is something she's used to, partly because of her changes from the Army National Guard to the Air Force Reserve and occupational specialty shifts within the 482nd FW.

"In both jobs I have to be able to learn new things and keep up with continuous changes," she added.

Regardless of the challenges created by progress, Airman Innocent has an eye on her future while keeping constant vigil over her current responsibilities. She's working toward a master's degree in mathematics, keeping up with upgrade training and professional military education in the unit, and refocused on her roles as a mother, teacher and nurse.

"More than anything, I can give my students and children good advice, let them know there are no obstacles stopping them from accomplishing their goals and teaching them the value of respect," said Airman Innocent. Airman Innocent lives in the Miami area with her husband, John; and two children, Jeffrey, 14 and Jailynn, 2.