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Teacher in Space: Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy
Christa McAuliffe's name is deeply entrenched in American history as the teacher who died when the Challenger exploded in January 1986. Innovative and devoted to her profession, Christa brought to her own life and to her students the joy and excitement of learning, exploration, and accomplishment. Her integrity and love of life endeared her to people both before and during her NASA training. Honest, direct, and outspoken, she did not hesitate to speak out on behalf of the constituency she felt she had been selected to American public schoolteachers and the children in their classrooms. It is important to know that Christa's dreams did not die with her. Following the disaster many foundations, institutions, and learning centers were set up to honor the Challenger crew. Craters on the moon and even asteroids have been named in their memory. Teacher in Space explores and celebrates Christa's life and legacy and suggests that her goals of involving and educating children are being fulfilled even today.
107 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 21, 2024
A remarkable story of a remarkable woman. One of my all time heroes.
August 12, 2020
Read if you: Want to know more about a passionate teacher gone too soon.
This is a reprint/revision of an earlier book published some years ago (the main update seems to be an acknowledgment of the passing of Christa McAuliffe's mother). For a short biography (under 100 pages), it is a fine overview of McAuliffe's career, her NASA training, and the Challenger tragedy.
Librarians and booksellers: There are plans to make a movie based on McAuliffe's life (starring Michelle Williams). Production was supposed to start last year, but there doesn't seem to be any more news other than the announcement made in 2018. Since this is (I believe) the only modern biography of Christa McAuliffe, you will probably want this when the movie is out. (Problem is is that who knows when that will be!)
Many thanks to University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a reprint/revision of an earlier book published some years ago (the main update seems to be an acknowledgment of the passing of Christa McAuliffe's mother). For a short biography (under 100 pages), it is a fine overview of McAuliffe's career, her NASA training, and the Challenger tragedy.
Librarians and booksellers: There are plans to make a movie based on McAuliffe's life (starring Michelle Williams). Production was supposed to start last year, but there doesn't seem to be any more news other than the announcement made in 2018. Since this is (I believe) the only modern biography of Christa McAuliffe, you will probably want this when the movie is out. (Problem is is that who knows when that will be!)
Many thanks to University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2020
Teacher in Space
Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy
by Colin Burgess
University of Nebraska Press
Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 01 Jun 2020
I am reviewing a copy of Teacher in Space through University of Nebraska Press and Netgalley:
January 28, 1986 the space shuttle orbiter Challenger lifted off into the clear blue skies over Florida on mission STS-51L, carrying a crew of seven, including teacher Christa McAuliffe. But only seventy three seconds into the launch, a huge explosion tore the challenger apart, to the horror on spectators and those watching on television sets around the country.
In this revised addition of Teacher in Space we lean how Christa McAuliffe went from a well loved Highschool teacher to occupying the Veteran orbiters tenth and final seat on what would turn out to be its last flight into space.
McAuliffe had a dream, that she would carry out science projects while in orbit around the earth and those projects would then be telecast to schools throughout the country, sadly instead of science projects being telecasted to school, it would be the explosion of the challenger only seventy three seconds into the mission. Her story, and the stories of the others aboard, but the ambition to educate from space did not die with Christa, her determination to use space travel as an educational tool became an inspiration to many, and her name and the names of the rest of the Challenger Crew manifested itself in the establishment of hundreds of youth education programs and institutes of learning across America and around the world.
If you are looking for a story that is both tragic, and inspirational, a remarkable story of renewed faith, as well hope and cooperation for the future, you will love Teacher in Space.
I give Teacher In Space five out of five stars!
Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy
by Colin Burgess
University of Nebraska Press
Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 01 Jun 2020
I am reviewing a copy of Teacher in Space through University of Nebraska Press and Netgalley:
January 28, 1986 the space shuttle orbiter Challenger lifted off into the clear blue skies over Florida on mission STS-51L, carrying a crew of seven, including teacher Christa McAuliffe. But only seventy three seconds into the launch, a huge explosion tore the challenger apart, to the horror on spectators and those watching on television sets around the country.
In this revised addition of Teacher in Space we lean how Christa McAuliffe went from a well loved Highschool teacher to occupying the Veteran orbiters tenth and final seat on what would turn out to be its last flight into space.
McAuliffe had a dream, that she would carry out science projects while in orbit around the earth and those projects would then be telecast to schools throughout the country, sadly instead of science projects being telecasted to school, it would be the explosion of the challenger only seventy three seconds into the mission. Her story, and the stories of the others aboard, but the ambition to educate from space did not die with Christa, her determination to use space travel as an educational tool became an inspiration to many, and her name and the names of the rest of the Challenger Crew manifested itself in the establishment of hundreds of youth education programs and institutes of learning across America and around the world.
If you are looking for a story that is both tragic, and inspirational, a remarkable story of renewed faith, as well hope and cooperation for the future, you will love Teacher in Space.
I give Teacher In Space five out of five stars!
May 31, 2020
I was a child in 1986 when the Challenger disaster happened. I remember watching the sad events unfold live in front of the eyes of my fellow elementary school students and still experience the dread when I see video of that tragic day. I was most interested in Christa McAuliffe, a female astronaut and science teacher who was excited to be able to telecast her science classes from space during this mission.
While this book can't escape the looming tragedy, it is a testament to the hard work, dedication and faith of Christa and her fellow astronauts. "Teacher In Space" is a heartfelt, touching story of a woman who made great strides for other future astronauts while still planning on teaching during her expedition. Christa's community of educators was not willing to let her dream perish in flames--they picked up where she left off and continued to honor her legacy while remaining committed to teaching others. This book gives the reader fresh eyes of the tragedy and allows McAuliffe's legacy to continue.
I was an early reader, thanks to #NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press. All opinions are my own.
While this book can't escape the looming tragedy, it is a testament to the hard work, dedication and faith of Christa and her fellow astronauts. "Teacher In Space" is a heartfelt, touching story of a woman who made great strides for other future astronauts while still planning on teaching during her expedition. Christa's community of educators was not willing to let her dream perish in flames--they picked up where she left off and continued to honor her legacy while remaining committed to teaching others. This book gives the reader fresh eyes of the tragedy and allows McAuliffe's legacy to continue.
I was an early reader, thanks to #NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2020
The field of education, while one of great honor, and one many of us consider a true calling is not one ripe with heroes. Christa McCaulie in her short career as an astronaut proved to be a hero, and to many who knew her personally and professionally she was also a genuinely nice person and a fantastic teacher. Christa left a legacy that few can match and it is appropriate that her story be revisited on a regular basis both as an inspiration to aspiring teachers and a source of renewal for seasoned educators.
There is no greater calling than to be a teacher and while Christa certainly earned her position as astronaut it was to her great credit that she did this to bring attention to her real profession that of a teacher. As for every great teacher Christa's professional goal was to instill interest and knowledge into her real love, the students. As Christa is quoted as saying, "I touch the future, I teach."
This book is worth reading and is certainly one that every educator should put on his or her shelf. I hope that this book is one that will contribute to an ongoing honor and legacy for this great American hero. A teacher first and always.
There is no greater calling than to be a teacher and while Christa certainly earned her position as astronaut it was to her great credit that she did this to bring attention to her real profession that of a teacher. As for every great teacher Christa's professional goal was to instill interest and knowledge into her real love, the students. As Christa is quoted as saying, "I touch the future, I teach."
This book is worth reading and is certainly one that every educator should put on his or her shelf. I hope that this book is one that will contribute to an ongoing honor and legacy for this great American hero. A teacher first and always.
July 3, 2021
Straightforward fairly journalistic telling of her life with pictures. I enjoyed this. I loved learning more about her as a Girl Scout and the story of what happened after the disaster particularly with her backup.
This was a revised edition published in 2020 and I felt like I could see where things had been revised...one story in particular felt a little dropped in because someone needed it told which isn't terrible but didn't add to the reading experience and made me wonder if it needed revising.
This was a revised edition published in 2020 and I felt like I could see where things had been revised...one story in particular felt a little dropped in because someone needed it told which isn't terrible but didn't add to the reading experience and made me wonder if it needed revising.
October 23, 2023
An excellent biography of Christa McAuliffe, the book celebrates her life and her enduring legacy. Innovative and deeply devoted to the teaching profession, Christa brought a thirst for life and the enjoyment of learning to her students. She was passionate about the opportunity to be the first teacher in space. Unfortunately, her dream ended 73 seconds when Challenger exploded, but there are many foundations, institutions and learning centers were set up to honor the Challenger crew. An excellent book, with many details of the months of preparation and training that sadly ended in disaster.
June 1, 2020
I will never forget sitting in my elementary school classroom and watching the Challenger explode. It will forever be etched in my memory. Since I was so young, I don't know much about the crew. The author did a great job of introducing Christa McAuliffe to those that don't know who she was. Her dedication to education and her students is admirable and also to the public school system. She was an inspiration whose life ended way too soon.
September 10, 2023
Very informative, and a very fast read. Less about the technical side of Challenger and more about the political and social impact and implications of the Teacher in Space program. Almost read more like a long article than a book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews