CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Decades after being chosen as the first teacher to travel into space, Christa McAuliffe remains a trailblazer — now recognized as the first woman honored with a memorial at New Hampshire’s Statehouse, located in the city where she was a high school teacher.
McAuliffe, who was 37 when she tragically lost her life in the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, was one of seven crew members aboard the space shuttle that broke apart during a live broadcast. Although she never had the opportunity to deliver the lessons she had planned from space, her legacy continues to inspire countless individuals.
Benjamin Victor, the sculptor based in Boise, Idaho, unveiled the statue of McAuliffe on what would have been her 76th birthday. He emphasized that her “inspiration hasn’t faded due to the tragedy, and her memory will endure for generations to come.”
Her former husband, Steven McAuliffe, expressed that Christa was immensely proud to represent teachers and would be honored to receive recognition, provided it was shared with educators everywhere. He stated, “This is a tremendous honor for Christa, and equally deserving for the teachers and educators across our nation. I hope that teachers visit and take pride in their vital work, and I hope students come to see it and feel inspired to chase their own dreams.”
The bronze statue, standing 8 feet tall (2.4 meters) and depicting McAuliffe in motion wearing a NASA flight suit, is believed to be the first full statue dedicated to her. Known for her enthusiasm for experimental learning, her well-known motto was: “I touch the future, I teach.”
Governor Chris Sununu issued an executive order that allowed McAuliffe’s statue to be placed alongside other prominent figures like Daniel Webster, John Stark, and President Franklin Pierce. He expressed his excitement for schoolchildren visiting the Statehouse to see the tribute to “our hero teacher” and to reflect on the possibilities before them.
Out of 11,000 applicants, McAuliffe was selected to be the first teacher and private citizen in space. In addition to a public memorial at the Statehouse plaza on January 31, 1986, the Concord school district and the city—home to 44,500 residents—have quietly remembered the Challenger anniversary over the years to respect her family’s privacy. At the time of her passing, Christa and Steven McAuliffe’s children were very young, and he chose to raise them in the community as normally as possible.
Numerous memorials exist in her honor, including several schools, a library, scholarships, and a commemorative coin. A science museum in Concord is dedicated to her and Alan Shepard, the first American in space. Additionally, the auditorium at Concord High School, where she taught subjects like American history, law, and a self-designed course titled “The American Woman,” is named after her. Students often pass by a painting of her in her astronaut uniform.
In the 2017-2018 school year, two educators-turned-astronauts at the International Space Station recorded some of the lessons McAuliffe had intended to teach on topics like Newton’s laws of motion and chromatography. NASA subsequently made these lessons available online as “Christa McAuliffe’s Lost Lessons”, providing resources for students around the world.
Victor, the sculptor of the statue, hails from a family of educators and has had many discussions about McAuliffe with his mother while creating the statue. He vividly remembers watching the Challenger disaster unfold on television when he was a second grader. He shared, “My heart goes out to the family, but there’s a silver lining in all of this, which we celebrate today. Her lessons continue to be taught.” Victor has created four statues in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, making him the most prolific living artist in that space.
During the unveiling event, McAuliffe’s former student, Kris Coronis Jacques, who is now a teacher, spoke alongside essay winner Nathaniel Dunlap. Dunlap shared that McAuliffe inspired him to “look out for all opportunities and take them.” The event also included a performance by a chorus from Concord High School, singing “see the light, be the light,” and featured James Scully, chair of the memorial commission, who successfully created the statue within just 18 months.
Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator, told attendees that McAuliffe’s death was not in vain; it led to significant advancements in spacecraft design and the safety of human space flight. She remarked, “The statue will serve as a symbol of the resilient human spirit that Christa represents, reminding us of the risks and rewards of space exploration. Her impact on NASA is timeless; her mission was a catalyst for changes that made our space program safer, more inclusive, and more educationally focused.”
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This story has been corrected to accurately spell Kris Coronis Jacques’ last name.
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David Sharp, an Associated Press writer based in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.
