Christa McAuliffe

History is a mysterious course that I can only unravel further, as history itself progresses today. I've spent a great deal of time studying history and spreading my knowledge to others. That, you can say, is my inspiration. Quite common, in a sense, considering I teach it. Actually 'teach' sounds like a bad word regarding history, one cannot merely teach such a subject. One can only learn history once they live through the times and the ages. Yet another inspiration I've been striving to achieve. We all know that some of history's greatest events took rise because of inspiration enacted by ordinary people, maybe I can join that row of greatness one day.

1984:
Ordinary is given a chance to become extraordinary, that's what I have been taught throughout my years of learning in universities. I want my students, although young, to bring this inspiration to light. I have followed it this far, and I might finally get to live up to it; not here on Earth... but 300 km above it orbiting at thousands of kilometers per hour.
Ronald Reagan has opened that door, rather the sky. In this competition between some 11, 000 other teachers nationwide, I have a feeling that I will indeed be the one to rise. It's as if history has predetermined it. Although I am but one applicant in this Teacher in Space Project, I have the support of a thousand inspirations. Kind of strange but historic indeed. Yet this is not for fame, never do I intend it to be. My reason is for inspiration and history itself. As I said before, one can only learn history once they live the times and the ages. My history is being written the way I intended.

1985:
By now my historic journal has probably become a chronological encyclopedia, and I am grateful to say that my historic monument is soon arriving. To others unknown around the world I may be of unheard nature, and I'll probably be no more heard of even after my endeavor in space. That is not my worry at all. This will probably be my greatest achievement ever, recorded in history books as The first teacher in space, but is not, and will never be my intent to pursue fame. I pursue the spread of knowledge, and the realization of what true history is. I may have begun as a small town student; grown up to be a high school teacher, but even then I have followed my speckle of inspiration to guide me this far. I do it for them, to let them write their own histories in a world that is becoming too intimidating.
And so today is the marvel that I have dreamed about for years. I started as an applicant a year ago, today I can finally pursue my dream without competition. Today it was announced that I will be the first teacher in space. I am given the honourable task of teaching from space. From ordinary to history; the cycle repeats yet again.
"Although you may not know me, I will be your teacher in a year. Don't worry though, it will only be for 15 minutes. And I promise, by the end this will be your favorite classroom that you have ever imagined. You ask where this exactly is. Look up at the night sky and you might see a speckle of imagination sprinkling at thousands of kilometers per hour."

1986:
"We have main engine start...4...3...2...1... and lift off... lift-off of the 25th Space Shuttle mission and it has cleared the tower."
...
...
...
"All systems normal and Challenger's on its way!"
...
...
...
...
...
...
"It seems there has been... oh God. It seems there has been an explosion..."