Educators Honored with Teacher of the Year Award

WASHINGTON (May 27, 2014) – Challenger Center today announced the recipients of the organization’s 2014 Teacher of the Year award. The award recognizes teachers who demonstrate an ability to excite students about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, connect classroom activities with the Challenger Center experience, and make a positive impact on their local Challenger Learning Center. The 2014 Award recipients are:

• Mr. Dan Curcio: K-8 teacher at The Community School in Teaneck, N.J. nominated by the Buehler Challenger & Science Center
• Ms. Irene Klay: 6th grade science teacher at Fairview Middle School in Tallahassee, F.L.  Nominated by Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
• Ms. Brandy Roberts: 6th grade science teacher at Heath Middle School in West Paducah, K.Y. Nominated by Challenger Learning Center of Paducah

“The nominees may represent different schools in different parts of the country, but like all teachers, they have committed their lives to educating our youth,” said Dr. Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “All of the nominees do an outstanding job in the classroom, and we are truly grateful for that enthusiasm and dedication. The 2014 Tuner Wiley Teacher of Year recipients continually demonstrate a desire to excite their students about STEM subjects and engage them in exciting learning and discovery opportunities. Congratulations Mr. Curcio, Ms. Klay and Ms. Roberts.”

Nominations were made by Directors from Challenger Learning Centers located across the U.S, Canada, U.K. and South Korea. A teacher must have flown at least three missions at a Challenger Learning Center to be eligible.

The recipients of the award will be honored by their local Challenger Learning Center and will receive a congratulatory letter and signed book from the Challenger Center Founding Chair Dr. June Scobee Rodgers. Recognition also includes the presentation of a historical, limited edition Apollo 8 medallion produced by NASA. The medallions contain small amounts of pure aluminum carried into space by Apollo astronaut Frank Borman and were struck in honor of Apollo 8, the historic mission that culminated in man’s first orbit of the moon.

The medallions are special gifts from the late Mr. Turner N. Wiley, a supporter of Challenger Center and former Chief of NASA’s Communication Branch for Engineering at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. His gift is used to honor teachers who perform exemplary work in science education and to reward educators who are working in both classrooms and Challenger Learning Centers to cultivate the next generation of space science explorers.