Caroline Little, middle school science teacher at Bainbridge Island’s Hyla School, received two “Teacher of the Year” awards from the Air and Space Forces Association for her yearlong hands-on microgravity water filtration project, which combined elements of astronomy, geology, physics, hydrology and biology.

The AFA selected Little as “Teacher of the Year” for both its Greater Seattle Chapter and the state of Washington, honoring her with a ceremony for both awards June 4. Little was nominated for the AFA’s national Teacher of the Year award as well.

Each award came with a small cash prize and some commemorative merch: in total, Little received $750, two certificates, an AFA jacket, a padfolio, a window decal, two pins, and a complimentary Civil Air Patrol membership. If she wins the national competition, she may receive up to $3,000, a plaque and another pin.

Suzanne Messinger, Hyla head of school, said that staff and the Hyla community is “thrilled to see [Little]’s extraordinary work recognized in this way,” but that “no one is more proud or excited for her than her students.” When Little received the award at a ceremony June 4, students cheered and gave her high-fives.

Little’s teaching style exemplifies the learning environment that Hyla’s school philosophy is founded on, Messinger explained.

“At Hyla, experiential learning is part of who we are—hands-on and minds-on. Our students engage with curiosity, creativity, and joy, and that kind of learning only happens because of inspiring teachers like Caroline,” Messinger said. “She is dedicated not just to what students learn, but to how they learn. Caroline encourages her students to ‘Keep Exploring,’ and she lives that spirit every day. We are so lucky to have her at Hyla.”

The Air and Space Forces Association is a nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of the U.S. Air Force for national defense. Education that promotes the “critical need for unrivaled aerospace power” is one of three core tenets of the group’s mission, which it supports through youth competitions and camps, awards, grants, scholarships, and professional development programs.

Encouraging student participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education is critical “for a technically superior and professional workforce,” the nonprofit wrote on its website. Its Teacher of the Year program recognizes teachers who introduce students to new concepts and expand their horizons.

Little will mentor other STEM educators around Western Washington on behalf of the AFA’s Greater Seattle Chapter from 2025-26, and will help select the 2026 Chapter Teacher of the Year.