As a social studies teacher, astronaut, and NEA-New Hampshire member, Christa McAuliffe touched the lives of countless students in her community, our state, and our country and inspired us all to reach for the stars.
This week, NEA-New Hampshire staff members had the honor of meeting with Ben Victor, the sculptor chosen for the Christa McAuliffe Memorial that will be placed on the New Hampshire State House plaza.
The memorial is slated to be finished and installed by September 2, 2024 – which would have been McAuliffe’s 76th birthday. She taught at Concord High School and was chosen for the 1984 Teacher in Space Project; her death in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986 rattled our community.
Victor was selected by the Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission, established by Governor Chris Sununu’s executive order ten months ago.
At a meeting with Senator Becky Whitley, NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle, and staff members Brian Hawkins and Lonnie Bean, Victor shared that his mom and grandmother were both educators, and that Christa was an inspiration for him as a child. He was able to view the artifacts and memorabilia on display in the “Christa” room at NEA-New Hampshire’s Concord office, including an NEA-NH apple pin that McAuliffe wore onto the shuttle and was recovered by NASA after the disaster.
“It’s really awesome to see all of this and that her legacy is still so strong,” Victor said. “The original goal with that teacher in space idea, was such a success because of her, and it continues to be a success now because of her. Her whole idea of inspiring little children that they can reach for the stars – they can do anything they put their mind to…that idea, that spirit has lived on through her.”
NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle shared that as a former social studies teacher who has kids in the Concord School District, she talks to her children every year on the anniversary of the Challenger explosion about Christa McAuliffe.
“To have…the statue is just going to be great. For the fourth graders, every time they go to the State House, it’s another reminder of who she was, what she believed in, and what she encouraged everyone to do,” Tuttle said.
If you are interested in learning more about the artist, please read this Concord Monitor article: Concord Monitor – Artist chosen for Christa McAuliffe Memorial at State House