CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Before she became an astronaut, Christa McAuliffe was an inspiring teacher in New England, dedicated to demonstrating to her students how ordinary individuals can leave significant impacts on U.S. history. Nearly forty years later, she continues to motivate others, as reflected in a new documentary that shifts focus from her tragic fate on the Challenger space shuttle to her lasting influence in education.
The documentary titled “Christa: From Ordinary to Extraordinary,” produced by New Hampshire PBS, highlights McAuliffe’s profound connection to her home state and its capital city, Concord. In a competitive selection process, she was chosen from over 11,000 applicants to become the first teacher in space. Governor Chris Sununu notes in the film, “You say ‘Christa’ in New Hampshire, everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about.” This release coincided with the unveiling of a bronze statue of McAuliffe at the Statehouse, celebrating what would have been her 76th birthday.
The space shuttle Challenger is destroyed shortly after lifting off, on Jan. 28, 1986, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew of seven, including NASA’s first teacher in space Christa McAuliffe, tragically died in the explosion. (AP Photo/Bruce Weaver, File)
The film features interviews with community members and archival footage, including a parade held on Main Street in honor of McAuliffe. It captures the sentiments of pride and joy shared by residents for an enthusiastic teacher who was passionate about education and storytelling. McAuliffe, aged 37 at the time of the Challenger disaster, was among the seven crew members killed when the shuttle tragically broke apart during a live broadcast on January 28, 1986. The documentary acknowledges this tragedy but seeks to celebrate her legacy.
“We all wish to be remembered for who we were, our passions, and our accomplishments rather than the manner of our passing,” says Jeanne Gerulskis, the recently retired executive director at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.
Empowering through Education
Beginning her career at Concord High School in 1983, McAuliffe developed a course centered on the history of American women, which remains a part of the curriculum today. Her desire to empower students to recognize the contributions of ordinary people — especially women — in shaping history is a key theme discussed in the documentary. McAuliffe viewed herself as a pioneer, likening her forthcoming experiences in space to that of early American explorers.
Holly Merrow, a former student who participated in McAuliffe’s women’s history class, believes the documentary captures her mentor’s essence and desire to uplift students. Merrow, now teaching in Maine, reminisced, “We felt as if we were heading to space too” during their time with McAuliffe.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders
The documentary emphasizes the importance of educating future generations about McAuliffe’s contributions. In New Hampshire, students begin learning about government in fourth grade, often visiting the Statehouse, where her statue serves as an ideal starting point for discussions on her legacy. This statue is notable as the first addition to the grounds in over a century and marks the first time a woman has been honored in such a way.
In a classroom at Concord High School, with a poster of NASA’s first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, displayed on the wall, teacher Kimberly Bleier instructs her students, December 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Currently teaching social studies in a classroom that McAuliffe once occupied, Kimberly Bleier feels a deep responsibility to preserve the spirit of hands-on learning that McAuliffe embodied. Bleier now leads a “Street Law” class that was also part of McAuliffe’s curriculum. Recalling the tragic explosion during a launch she witnessed in sixth grade, she expressed, “I prefer watching her legacy instead. I want to hear her story.”
Where to Watch
The 30-minute documentary is available for viewing on the New Hampshire PBS website, and it can also be streamed via the PBS App.
