Former elementary school teacher and NASA astronaut Barbara Morgan spoke to the House Education Committee today in her current role as a Distinguished Educator in Residence at Boise State University. During questions following her presentation with BSU President Dr. Bob Kustra, Morgan was asked about educator reaction to the education overhaul put forward by State Superintendent Tom Luna.
Morgan said that teachers need a voice in their jobs, and that does not happen when people feel they are having something done to them rather than with their input.
She also said that students at Boise State are well-versed in technology and that educators need to be able to engage them both in person and via technology, or students will – and do – tune out.
Morgan is a longtime IEA member who flew on the space shuttle in 2007. She began her NASA career as the back-up to Christa McAuliffe, who died in the 1986 Challenger disaster.