CONCORD, N.H. — Before becoming an astronaut, Christa McAuliffe was an enthusiastic educator in New England, dedicated to illustrating how everyday individuals have significantly shaped U.S. history. Nearly 40 years later, a fresh documentary sheds light on her enduring influence rather than focusing exclusively on the tragic end of her journey aboard the Challenger space shuttle.
Titled “Christa: From Ordinary to Extraordinary,” the documentary produced by New Hampshire PBS delves into McAuliffe’s deep connection with her home state and its capital, Concord. She was selected from over 11,000 candidates to become America’s first teacher in space. “You say ‘Christa’ in New Hampshire, everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about,” remarks Gov. Chris Sununu in the film, which premieres just three months after a bronze statue of McAuliffe was unveiled at the Statehouse coinciding with what would have been her 76th birthday.
The film showcases interviews with members of the community, features footage from events such as a parade held in her honor, and includes archival clips of her farewell address to Concord High School seniors in 1985. It reflects the pride and joy of residents, both past and present, for an ebullient teacher passionate about learning and storytelling. McAuliffe was just 37 years old at the time of her untimely death, one of seven crew members who perished when the Challenger disintegrated during a live broadcast on January 28, 1986. The documentary only briefly addresses this heartbreaking incident.
In the film, Jeanne Gerulskis, the former executive director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, shares that “we all want to be remembered for who we were, what we cared about, what we loved, what we did, and not how we died.”
McAuliffe began teaching social studies at Concord High School in 1983, where she developed a course focused on the history of American women, a class still offered today. Documentarians note that she aimed for her students to recognize the influence ordinary individuals, particularly women, can have on history. McAuliffe considered herself one of those ordinary people. With a passion for field trips, she looked forward to sharing experiences and insights from her shuttle mission, which she compared to pioneering the West.
Holly Merrow, a former student of McAuliffe’s, believes the documentary captures her spirit of inspiration for young minds. “We felt like we were going to space, as well,” she remarked at a recent film screening, now working as a teacher in Maine.
The documentary also highlights the necessity of educating children about McAuliffe’s legacy. In New Hampshire, young learners are introduced to government concepts starting in fourth grade, often touring the Statehouse where McAuliffe’s statue, the first of a woman in over a century, welcomes visitors at the entrance, serving as a prompt for discussion.
At Concord High School, Kimberly Bleier, who teaches social studies in the same classroom where McAuliffe once instructed, feels a strong obligation to uphold McAuliffe’s legacy of active, hands-on learning. Bleier teaches “Street Law” today, echoing a course once taught by McAuliffe. Recalling the emotional impact of watching the Challenger launch as a sixth-grader, she admits, “I don’t want to watch the shuttle blow up again. I want to watch her. I want to hear her.”
Those interested in watching the 30-minute documentary can find it on the New Hampshire PBS website, with additional streaming options available on the PBS App.