Teacher in Space

I guess like many of you, I held my breath during the launch of the space shuttle Endeavor the other evening. Everyone knows it is carrying Barbara Morgan, the first teacher in space and back up to Christa McAuliffe. I was happy that NASA held the launch during the "evening news hour" (at least on the East Coast) which in addition to allowing many people to see it live, made the news media stop and pay attention to a shuttle launch; something that in recent years has often been put at the end of the news (if at all).

I won't rehash the Challenger experience except to point out that just about everyone attending school - K-16 these days- were born after that fateful day 21 years ago in January 1986. For those of us who did live through it, it was a cruel blow in many ways. Being one of those kids who was born just in time for the space race, I have always been fascinated by astronauts and space travel. Like my fellow baby boomers, space travel had almost become routine and when the Challenger tragedy occurred; we were shocked that it could happen.

But the death of a teacher, a woman who looked just like the teachers I worked with every day, was a very sad and disturbing event. I had friends who had applied to the "teacher in space" program and that made the experience even more personal.

So, after Endeavor made it into orbit, and the news stations went back to reporting on other news, I hoped we do not forget this milestone. And I hope, despite the fact that many schools are not opened yet, many teachers will make this a "teachable moment" and that a new generation of kids fascinated with astronauts and space travel will be created.

And yes, I will still be holding my breath until Endeavor and her precious cargo have safely returned to Mother Earth.

~John Brandt