Forty years ago today, people across New Hampshire and the nation gathered in a spirit of patriotism and pride to watch Christa McAuliffe embark on a brave mission to become the first teacher in space. It was an especially meaningful day for the Granite State: One of our own was set to make history on the Challenger shuttle.
Everyone who witnessed the launch remembers exactly where they were on that fateful day.
I was with my classmates at Nashua High School, glued to the television to cheer on the social studies teacher from Concord. You didn’t have to know Christa McAuliffe to feel like you did. She was easy to like: a role model who was also very real. She showed us that an ordinary person from right here in New Hampshire could do something extraordinary — even travel into space.
Beloved at Concord High School, Christa McAuliffe brought to the classroom a passion for teaching, a joyful spirit and a commitment to going above and beyond for her students. With a few simple words, she conveyed the power of teaching: “I touch the future…” Christa McAuliffe taught a course called “The American Woman.” She then had the courage to make history herself.
On the morning of the Challenger’s launch, Christa McAuliffe brought with her the hopes and dreams of the American people — especially teachers and students. When the shuttle tragically broke apart, it was as if the world stopped. Excitement and joy turned to shock, sadness and heartbreak. Forty years later, the vivid emotions of that day are still raw.
As we celebrate and honor Christa McAuliffe today, we remember her commitment to excellence in teaching, her strong belief in public service, and her eagerness to pioneer new frontiers. From Concord High to NASA, Christa McAuliffe lived boldly in service to others — leaving behind a legacy that will surely stand the test of time.
In so many special ways, Christa McAuliffe’s spirit continues to touch countless lives. The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is named in her honor and shares her story. It hosts thousands of visitors each year who can learn about Christa McAuliffe’s life and be inspired to reach for the stars.
There’s the Christa McAuliffe School here in Concord. It’s one of dozens across the nation and around the world that were named in her honor — a profoundly fitting way to keep alive the memory of a teacher and pioneer who loved learning and wanted to make a real difference in the lives of young people.
At the State House, the new Christa McAuliffe statue forever enshrines her place as one of a handful of New Hampshire’s greatest citizens. It’s particularly important for the students who visit. They can see Christa McAuliffe as she was: with a smile on her face, looking to the heavens while keeping her feet planted firmly in New Hampshire.
Perhaps the most meaningful reflection of Christa McAuliffe’s legacy are those she inspired to become teachers. For generations to come, aspiring educators will look to her as the true mark of excellence in teaching and educational innovation. That’s something I see in schools here in New Hampshire, with dedicated and talented teachers who continue Christa McAuliffe’s mission of touching the future through teaching.
With deep gratitude for Christa McAuliffe’s extraordinary life, I join citizens across our state and the nation in remembering her bravery, celebrating her courage and committing to forever honor her legacy. Christa McAuliffe will remain forever in our hearts as a special source of inspiration — the pioneer teacher from Concord who showed her fellow Americans how to make a difference in the world.
Kelly Ayotte is the governor of New Hampshire.