Westfield Technical Academy

A jubilant atmosphere glided through Hangar 2 of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport on Thursday as Galen Wilson was honored for his immense role in growing the local aviation community.

A little over 10 years after jumpstarting the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Westfield Technical Academy, Wilson was chosen as the Bradley district’s Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year by the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team for his “technical expertise” and “lasting impact on students, schools and the aviation community itself.” He was chosen for the award by the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Program.

“I’m truly honored,” Wilson said in an interview with The Westfield News following the March 5 ceremony. “When I think of the award, it’s got my name on it, but it applies to everybody. It applies to the Westfield Technical Academy, it applies to the administration, the students [and] people that support it.”

Because the WTA program emulates a two-year college program, Wilson said that when students graduate, they can bring up to 69 college credits to some universities. He also shared that students can go directly into the industry as a licensed FAA technician to work in airplanes immediately after graduating from the program.

Many were in attendance to celebrate Wilson’s achievement, including Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Mayor Michael McCabe, state Rep. Kelly Pease, a representative from state Sen. John Velis’ office and Wilson’s students and family. All of the elected officials presented some kind of certificate to Wilson.

In his remarks during the ceremony, Czaporowski highlighted Wilson’s innate teaching ability, which was evident right after he was interviewed for the instructor position decades ago. Czaporowski said immediately after meeting Wilson, the interview team wanted to give him the job right on the spot.

“Sometimes you’re just born to teach,” Czaporowski said. “We couldn’t be any more proud to have Galen. It has been, and I hope continues to be, a pleasure to work with you as we move forward.”

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/wilson-awarded-district-aviation-maintenance-technician-of-the-year.html

On Feb. 26, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Director of Assessment Christine Shea and Curriculum Director Susan Dargie gathered flower bouquets and balloons for a surprise delivery to the six Westfield teachers who were honored with the Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.

This year’s honorees included five veteran educators who have collectively impacted thousands of students, alongside one teacher new to the profession who is already making a meaningful difference.

In the nominations from their school principals, this year’s Grinspoon teachers were described as going above and beyond for their students and their school communities as a whole.

“So many of our staff members go above and beyond every day for our students, and it is both a pleasure and a privilege to honor six educators each year with the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. I am also deeply grateful to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for continuing to make this meaningful opportunity available to our district,” said Czaporowski after the visits.

All of the Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching honorees will be celebrated at a banquet held at the Log Cabin in their honor on May 12. They will also receive $250 scholarships, tuition incentives for graduate courses, YMCA memberships and other gifts and benefits.

The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards program is made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, and supported by area colleges and universities, YMCAs of Pioneer Valley, the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Arrha Credit Union, Country Bank, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka.

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/six-westfield-teachers-honored-with-excellence-in-teaching-awards.html