Our Cadre exemplifies professionalism, leadership, and mentorship. They provide a compass as we navigate through AFJROTC and our high school life. They live and teach the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do. We look to our Instructors for guidance and support. And as we move on from the Corps into our future we have confidence in our selves, our abilities, and our character to lead. Please meet our Instructor Staff.

Major Donald E. Shackelford is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor of Tom C. Clark High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. As the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor he is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of 200 high school cadets.

Major Shackelford was born in Nashville, Arkansas and graduated from Airline High School, Bossier City, Louisiana in 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Columbia College in 1981 and a Master of Arts degree in management from Central Michigan University in 1985.

Major Shackelford enlisted in the Air Force in 1974 and in 1981 was commissioned through the Officer Training School program. He held a variety of missile operations and staff assignments at the squadron and wing level. He is a senior missileer with more than 250 Minuteman III alerts and 20 Ground Launch Cruise Missile dispersals.

He and his wife, Pam, have three children: a son Brian and daughters Kelly and Stacy.

Education:
1981 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Columbia College
1985 Masters of Arts Degree, Central Michigan University
1986 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

Major Awards and Decorations:
Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters

SMSgt Ruiz is a tenth year Aerospace Science Instructor at Thomas C. Clark High School who came to us from John Jay High School in July of 2004. He teaches the first year cadets and coaches our Junior ROTC Choir, Awareness Presentation Team, and two Varsity Drill Teams, Silver Valor Unarmed and Centurion Guard Armed Drill Teams. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. With over 23 years of dedicated service, he retired from the Air Force in 1996. He served as an administrative specialist, postal clerk, student training advisor, and master military training instructor. Two of his overseas assignments were to Rhein Main Air Base, Germany and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy located on Albrook Air Force Station, Panama. His last assignment was to Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas where he served in key positions throughout the group: Evaluator for the Standardization/Evaluation Division, Plans and Programs Manager, Disaster Preparedness Representative, and Training Superintendent for the 322nd Training Squadron. He is an Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor, holds a Community College of the Air Force Associate degree in Instructor of Technology and Military Science, and is awaiting the awarding of an Associate of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Palo Alto College. He is also a Senior NCO Academy graduate.

His decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star.

He is married to the former Kathy Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas. They have two sons and a daughter. SMSgt Ruiz says, “Never cut yourself short of an opportunity to excel. You’d be surprised what you can do when you put your mind to it. Our two drill teams are proof of this way of thinking.”

MSgt Teddlie was born November 8th, 1952 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the first child of Betty Joyce Teddlie and Billy Harold Teddlie Teddlie. He is the older brother of Charles David Teddlie (8 years younger) and Beth Ana Lord (2 years younger).

MSgt Teddlie was raised in Sour Lake, Texas. He attended grades 1-8 at Sour Lake Elementary and grades 9-12 at Hardin-Jefferson H.S. MSgt Teddlie received his high school diploma on May 31st, 1971.

MSgt Teddlie then went to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas from May '71 until May '72. He entered the United States Air Force on October 2nd, 1972 and was sent to the 3722nd BMTS, Lackland AFB, Texas. Throughout his Air Force career, MSgt Teddlie held many duties including radar operator and Military Training Instructor (MTI).

MSgt Teddlie has received many Medals and Achievements:
Meritorious Service Medal
AF Accommodation Medal w/ four clusters
Outstanding Unit w/ three clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Master Military Training Instructor (Blue Rope)

MSgt Teddlie also holds an Associates of Applied Science degree in Electronics Principles Technologies and in Instructor Technology and Military Sciences.