COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE HIRES NANCY MCGEE NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION!
April 3, 2019, Dallas – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is pleased to announce and welcome Nancy McGee as the organization’s new Vice President of Education. The CAF, the world’s largest flying museum, has more than 60 years of experience in preserving, flying and exhibiting World War II aircraft. The CAF began its informal education program back in the 1960s with its first airshow. Using the flying aircraft at the show to tell a story and to explain the importance of American military aviation history to others.
Today, the organization’s mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight. Using the CAF's unique collection of aircraft and historical artifacts they are able to create experiential learning programs that cannot be found in a traditional classroom. Using the aircraft as a tool for teaching students about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) aviation sciences and history in order to develop leadership skills and generate interest in aviation-related careers.
As Vice President of Education, Nancy will lead the CAF’s education department. This includes both national outreach programs, which are carried out by a vast network of volunteers, and local educational events. She will also design programs for the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, a facility to be built at Dallas Executive Airport that is slated to be operational in late 2020.
Nancy comes to the CAF with a Master’s in Education, 34 years as a public school educator and 30 years working in Grand Prairie ISD, most recently as the school district’s K-12 Director of STEM. Nancy’s held these demanding positions while fostering her other passion - and achieving great success as - an underwater explorer and filmmaker.
Nancy received an Explorers Club Fellowship for her explorations, which is the highest tier attainable by explorers. The fellowship is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves by directly contributing to scientific knowledge in the field of geographical exploration or allied sciences. Nancy produces, edits and films her own documentaries.
“I’m really looking forward to working at the CAF. It is a whole new adventure into STEM education while simultaneously inspiring young people to develop the strength of character repeatedly demonstrated by the Greatest Generation during World War II. I am fascinated by the way the CAF has used these aircraft to attract students and give them a new appreciation for the past while inspiring them to do great things in the future. Developing and strengthening this program will be a tremendous asset to the community and will positively impact children of all ages,” said Nancy.
Hank Coates, CAF President, stated, “We are excited to welcome Nancy to the staff of the Commemorative Air Force. Nancy’s education background and passion for learning through experiences is a terrific fit with our organization. She will bring a new strategy and focus to our existing programs while shaping our new educational programing for the National Aviation Education Center.”
About the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center On March 1, 2019, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) broke ground on construction of a $8 million, 47,000-square-foot National Aviation Education Center at Dallas Executive Airport. The educational center will include a STEM Innovation aircraft hangar, classrooms and exhibit space. This building is the first phase of the organization’s plans for an aviation campus, called the CAF National Airbase. Education is central to the CAF’s core mission of preserving and flying historical aircraft. By teaching World War II history through its collection of artifacts, showing students how aircraft fly, and creating STEM educational programming, the CAF will create an education center that provides a one-of-a-kind experience for all who walk through its doors. Construction of the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center is expected to begin this summer, with the goal of being operational in late 2020. The organization recently announced a $2 million stretch goal to provide additional enhancements to the new center.
About the Commemorative Air Force The Commemorative Air Force® (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring and honoring through flight and living history. The fleet of over 170 airplanes is spread across the U.S. and is maintained and flown by volunteers. These World War II aircraft fly in order to honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation. Through historical reenactments and programs such as CAF RISE ABOVE®, the CAF educates and inspires young people to “rise above” their own challenges by using the real stories of heroes from American aviation history. Learn how you can support and participate in the CAF at www.commemorativeairforce.org.
