New documentary on Christa McAuliffe explores the ‘power of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things’

Sculptor Benjamin Victor (in baseball cap) speaks to Steven McAuliffe, former husband of teacher Christa McAuliffe who died when the space shuttle Challenger broke apart in 1986, as they stand next to a statue unveiled on what would’ve been Christa McAuliffe’s 76th birthday, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Concord, N.H. Nick Perry / AP file

Richard Greene adjusts a letter as he sets up a billboard outside a Concord, New Hampshire motel on Thursday, Jan. 30, 1986. Teacher Christa McAuliffe, who taught at Concord High School, was a crewmember aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger. (AP Photo/Peter Southwick)Richard Greene adjusts a letter as he sets up a billboard outside a Concord motel Jan. 30, 1986, two days after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded upon launching, killing Christa McAuliffe and the entire crew. Peter Southwick

Monitor staff

Published: 12-18-2024 2:53 PM

Modified: 12-18-2024 4:17 PM

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The continuing legacy of Christa McAuliffe from her days as a social studies teacher at Concord High School through the tragedy of the Challenger explosion will be examined in a new NH PBS documentary airing Thursday.

Producer Kathleen Young, who as a high school student in New Hampshire watched the Challenger launch and disaster, interviewed local dignitaries, educators, former students and Jeanne Gerluskis, former director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. She also unearthed footage from the Concord Historical Society and spoke with Kimberly Bleier, who teaches the class McAuliffe developed at Concord High School.

The documentary focuses on McAuliffe’s life, especially here time as a teacher at Concord High School, which formed her famous words, “I touch the future. I teach.”

“Christa McAuliffe was far more than the 73 seconds that followed the Challenger’s launch,” Young said. “She was a champion for educators, a trailblazer for women and a testament to the power of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.”

The documentary also profiles the work of sculptor Benjamin Victor, whose statue of McAuliffe was dedicated at the State House in September.

The new documentary “Christa,” which will premiere on Hampshire PBS on Dec. 19 at 8:30 p.m. After the broadcast, viewers can stream the documentary on the PBS Ap pwith more information available online at nhpbs.org/christa.

“Christa McAuliffe’s story is one of courage, resilience and the power of education,” said Young in a statement. “We are honored to share her legacy. As a producer, I’ve worked on numerous projects, but none have been as meaningful and impactful as this one.”

Funding for the production of “Christa” was provided by New Hampshire Humanities.

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