2024 STEM Hero Honorees

EDUCATION:  Associate of Science Entomology, Community College of The Air Force

As the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Pest Management Schoolhouse at Sheppard Air Force Base, Technical Sergeant Aaron Rasch plays a pivotal role in delivering education to a diverse spectrum of students representing various backgrounds.

His leadership fosters an inclusive learning environment that caters to the unique needs of each student. Through his dedication and guidance, Aaron has transformed the Schoolhouse from archaic, paper-based training methods to cutting-edge technological platforms. Aaron also spends personal time improving his classroom, and   volunteers to assist with training initiatives at both squadron and base levels.

Throughout his tenure, Aaron has made a significant impact on Hispanic Airmen within the United States Air Force.  He manages three courses annually, oversees validation of training hours, and ensures the provision of Community College of the Air  Force credits to 120 students, a considerable portion of whom are Hispanic.

His meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence have resulted in certification of 82 Airmen-in-Training each year across 224 objectives, contributing significantly to the education and development of Hispanic representation within the Air Force. 

Aaron is the sole military instructor in his career field. With an impressive accumulation of more than 2000 teaching hours, he has educated eight classes across the 224 objectives to prepare Airmen for  success in Pest Management.   Beyond the classroom, Aaron has played a pivotal role in the  development and implementation of training processes at 750 installations worldwide. 

His innovative approach to education, including the digitization of curriculum, has both increased knowledge retention rates and made education more accessible to Hispanic students.  Aaron has also provided critical input to the Armed Forces Pest Management boards, contributing to the update of technical guides and directives for  eight courses, which aligned course material across five services.   As the Squadron Mentorship  Manager, he has inspired 22 NCOs and promoted life skills across six schoolhouses, creating a supportive  and inclusive environment for all Airmen in Training.