Local educator wins AFA award Published Oct. 5, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Dr. Anja Comerford from Magnolia Park Elementary School in Ocean Springs is the Teacher of the Year for Air Force Association John C. Stennis Chapter 132. "The award recognizes classroom teachers for accomplishments in involving students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and preparing to use and contributed to future technologies," said Lt. Col. Scott Solomon, AFA president and deputy commander of the 81st Training Group. Comerford, an educator for 15 years, has been a teacher for intellectually gifted second, third and fourth graders at Magnolia Park for four years. She chairs the school's annual science fair and last year nearly half of the school's first through third graders competing at the regional science fair received awards. To increase emphasis on math, Comerford secured funding to started an afterschool Math Olympiads program for fourth graders and top-performing third graders. She obtained multiple grants to start a robotics program and a free summer robotics camp. She implemented and trained a competitive quiz bowl team and hosts an annual quiz bowl tournament at the school. "Her compassion and high expectations combine to have a positive impact on the academic growth of she students she works with," said Jeanne Lewis, Magnolia Park principal. "Her creative approach to her subject matter helps to build an atmosphere in which all of her students can feel success." Comerford was Magnolia Park's teacher of the year for 2010-11 and is a past winner of the Alan R. Barton Award for excellence in education and the Leo W. Seal award for innovation in education.