𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦
Making a difference—it’s something every educator hopes to do. But some go beyond just teaching; they inspire, guide and open doors to life-changing opportunities. We are proud to present Mark Kirk the 2025 Aviation Educator of the Year award, as this year’s recipient has done just that.
For years, Mark has built a program where students don’t just learn about aviation—they live it. This program began through a unique partnership with Eagles Nest in which students began building RV-12 aircraft, working alongside a network of experienced builders and mentors who bring real-world knowledge straight into the classroom. After stepping away from Eagle’s Nest in 2020, the school also switched to building RANS aircraft, and just finished their fifth plane build.
In addition to this hands-on work, Mark organizes field trips to leading aviation companies such as American Airlines, Flytrex drone food delivery service, Lockheed and Southwest Airlines, exposing his students to industry professionals and real-world experiences. Mark's passion for aviation education has also led to partnerships with industry partners, including Rans Aircraft, SteinAir, Surefly, and Milwaukee, opening doors to opportunities that will shape his students' futures.
Currently, six of his students are actively training at a local flight school, with several on track to earn their private pilot certificates before summer. Additionally, many of his former students have gone on to become commercial drone pilots, flight instructors and airline pilots.
Driven by a deep passion for teaching, Mark continue to find new ways to support his students’ growth. His latest effort—a flying club at the local airport—is bringing his long-time dream to life, and he is finally on track to make it a reality. This continued dedication to expanding opportunities for his students is just one example of how he is shaping the future of aviation—one student at a time.
On behalf of the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee, please join me in celebrating the 2025 Aviation Educator of the Year, Mark Kirk from Granbury High School!