McAuliffe, Christa

McAuliffe, (Sharon) Christa (b. Corrigan)

(1948–1986) teacher; born in Framingham, Mass. Community-minded and socially conscious, she started teaching in 1970. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) officials were impressed with a course she developed for Concord (N.H.) High School entitled "The American Woman." The first teacher selected for the NASA Teacher in Space program, she died along with the crew when their space shuttle Challenger blew up not long after launching.