North Star High School teacher Amanda Woodward learned this fall that her leadership talents have impacted people on a statewide scale.
Members of the Lincoln chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) honored Woodward with the Nebraska AFA State Teacher of the Year Award. Lincoln Public Schools students and staff cheered as she accepted the award in North Star’s aviation hangar. They recognized her for guiding many Navigators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.
North Star graduates Haliegh Johnson and Parker Lieske smiled as they watched Woodward receive praise for her work. Both Navigators said they are grateful for her role in their lives. Johnson served in the United States Air Force for three years after earning her North Star diploma in 2023. Lieske graduated in 2024 and is in his third year as a civil engineering major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“She’s just a really positive person all of the time,” Johnson said. “She helped me be more positive about life and focus on where I was going.”
“She always kept me on top of my assignments,” Lieske said. “Anytime I was prioritizing something else, she would remind me to get my own work done. I really appreciated that, because I don’t think I would have done as well as I did in high school without her encouragement.”
North Star Principal Megan Kroll said Woodward has authored hundreds of similar success stories over the past eight years. Woodward oversees the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program and advises the school’s SkillsUSA chapter. She has influenced students like Johnson and Lieske with her upbeat personality and deep knowledge of STEM topics.
“Amanda has a passion for helping students identify their long-term plans,” Kroll said. “She creates countless opportunities for students to have experiences, both in and out of the classroom setting, that help them with next steps to achieve those goals.”
Woodward said she enjoys helping people expand their confidence. LPS began offering aviation and technical education classes in 2019-20 to prepare students for those career fields. The focus program currently has 271 Navigators learning everything from arc welding to airplane electronics.
“I like showing kids that they’re capable of things that are hard,” Woodward said. “I love teaching them that there are huge opportunities available to them.”
AFA chapters across the country recognize K-12 educators who make noteworthy differences in the lives of their students and communities each year. They select teachers who have created exceptional opportunities for people with their classroom leadership and STEM-based initiatives. Woodward received commemorative pins, chapter and state certificates and an AFA jacket as part of her state award.
AFA Chapter 187 President Joe Brownell said Woodward has developed a strong reputation across Nebraska for her STEM enthusiasm. He served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force and has been president of the Lincoln AFA chapter for the past five years. He told the audience that chapter members admired Woodward’s supportive teaching style.
“It’s really an honor,” Brownell said. “We can’t thank you enough for what you do.”
In addition to her focus program duties, Woodward has also made a significant impact with SkillsUSA activities. She was honored in 2025 as the SkillsUSA Nebraska Advisor of the Year for her efforts at North Star.
SkillsUSA’s goal is to teach students about technical, skilled and service occupations. They learn about dozens of job opportunities and complete individual and group projects. They also participate in competitive events at local, state and national levels and organize the school’s annual Rock the Trades Career Fair.
Lieske was a SkillsUSA member for two years and earned a Nebraska SkillsUSA Academic Achievement Award in 2024. He said Woodward inspired him to be part of the group.
“It was nice to get involved,” Lieske said. “I did robotics competitions, so it was fun to have hands-on contests like that. It was good because I made a lot of friends here.”
Woodward said she is thankful for the many strong partnerships that have emerged during her tenure. Multiple groups and businesses have connected with the Navigators for educational and career opportunities. Students have completed internships at aviation companies, used flight simulators in classrooms and taken a wide variety of field trips.
“I just feel very supported by these organizations,” Woodward said.
Johnson and Lieske said they were happy to see Woodward receive the state award. They felt she would continue to motivate students with her energy and enthusiasm for many years to come.
“I think it’s awesome for her,” Johnson said. “She deserves it. She really does. She means a lot to everybody from past students to her students now. She’s an awesome person.”
“I think she deserves it,” Lieske said. “I mean, she’d be my pick. She puts in a lot of effort, so I think she’s earned it for sure.”
Ready to Choose Your Journey? Explore our Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program at North Star.
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