On May 15, retired Air Force Colonel Ed Wexler and Master Sgt. Jim Fox, representing Savannah’s Chapter 137 of the Air Force Association (AFA), presented five Effingham County teachers with the AFA Visions Award.

The teachers who received the awards were: Paul Richards, South Effingham Middle School; Lori Jenkins, South Effingham Elementary; Mary Lou Jones, Marlow Elementary; Cheryl Brinson, Sand Hill Elementary; and Rachael Dudley, Sand Hill Elementary.

For the past year, these teachers participated in the Visions of Exploration program, a partnership program between the teacher’s school, the U.S. Air Force and USA Today. Each teacher received daily copies of USA Today and special lesson plans provided by the AFA.

The lesson plans helped the teachers incorporate articles in the newspaper into their science, math and even geography classes.

The purpose of the Visions program is to help encourage and prepare students for careers in technologically advanced fields.

Col. Wexler presented each teacher with a certificate and a military coin of excellence. They will also receive a free one-year membership to the Air Force Association.