Space Foundation Adds 27 New International Teacher Liaisons

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

2021 Teacher Liaisons Are the Most Diverse Group of Educators Inducted to Date

• Thirteen teachers from nine nations outside the U.S.
• Program promotes space education in schools around the globe
• Educators participate in a virtual workshop during 36th Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — April 12, 2021 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit advocate organization founded in 1983 for the global space ecosystem, today announced that it has selected 27 outstanding educators to join its Teacher Liaison program in 2021, including 13 international applicants from Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Serbia, South Africa and Taiwan, bringing the total to more than 300 worldwide. The Flight 18-21 inductees were chosen for their commitment to space education for pre-K-12 students. The Teacher Liaison program is funded by Lockheed Martin and the Miller-Wood Foundation. To learn more about Teacher Liaisons at Space Foundation, please visit www.discoverspace.org/education/resources-for-educators/teacher-liaisons/.

Each selected class of Teacher Liaisons is called a “flight” in reference to the teachers’ mission as premier space educators, inclusive of STEM, non-STEM, and 21st century business and life skills. A new flight of Teacher Liaisons is selected each year following a formal application process. The program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, in both informal and formal education, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers, and others who deliver educational programs to students. New Teacher Liaisons are selected by a panel comprised of experienced Teacher Liaisons as well as representatives from the space industry and the military.

One of the exceptional Teacher Liaisons selected as part of Flight 18-21 is Marinko Petković who works with disabled students at Milan Petrović Elementary and Secondary Boarding School in Novi Sad, Serbia. Commenting on the program, Petković shared, “Teaching is an amazing job, and it is also a journey of constant professional development. For most disabled students, our small step is their giant leap. Involving space education into the current curriculum opens a new horizon of education and integration for the disabled.”

The new flight of Teacher Liaisons will be honored at the Teacher Liaison Virtual Workshop during Space Foundation’s upcoming 36th Space Symposium. In addition to the recognition activities, Teacher Liaisons will participate in a workshop featuring special guests and speakers.

Commenting on the announcement of the new flight of Teacher Liaisons, Shelli Brunswick, Space Foundation’s COO and executive leader of the organization’s Center for Innovation and Education, said, “Preparation for the next-generation space workforce starts with passionate educators, and it’s wonderful to see our Teacher Liaison program’s longstanding tradition of promoting exceptional instructors now extending to more nations around the globe. Congratulations to the Flight 18-21 inductees — these educators are expanding their own knowledge and, in turn, igniting their students’ interest in the space careers of tomorrow.”

Introducing Space Foundation’s Teacher Liaison Flight 18-21

Australia

• Brad Cummins, Mitchell Park, South Australia – Hamilton Secondary College
• Greg Hellard, Mount Waverley, Victoria – Huntingtower School
• Juliette Major, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – St. Clare’s College
• Nick Pattison, Cranbourne North, Victoria – Tulliallan Primary School
• Lauren Sutherland, Cranbourne North, Victoria – Tulliallan Primary School

Canada

• Maria Nickel, Stonewall, Manitoba – Ecole Stonewall Centennial School

India

• Chaitali Shah, Maharashtra, Pune – Vidya Valley School

Indonesia

• Jessica Hostiadi, Sentul City, Bogor – Rhema En Cara

Mexico

• Alvaro Mayoral, Mexicali, Baja California – Benemérita Escuela Normal Educadora Rosaura Zapata

Nigeria

• Desmond Fonyuy Wysenyuy, Ife, Nigeria – African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology

Serbia

• Marinko Petković, Bate Brkica bb, Novi Sad, Serbia – “Milan Petrović” Elementary and Secondary Boarding School

South Africa

• Shaun Keyser, Franschhoek, Western Cape – Bridge House School

Taiwan

• Ling-yun Chang, Taipei City, Taiwan – Nangang Elementary School

United States

• Arizona

• • Mabel Rivera, Oro Valley, Arizona – Innovation Academy

• Colorado

• • Julie Johnston, Pueblo, Colorado – North Mesa Elementary
  • Taylor S. Peterson, Aurora, Colorado – Altura Elementary School
  • Leanne Rehme, Colorado Springs, Colorado – Space Foundation
  • Kathleen Reiss, Colorado Springs, Colorado – Horizon Middle School

• Delaware

• • Ashley Carter, Millsboro, Delaware – Millsboro Middle School

• Florida

• • Stephen Kirsche, St. Augustine, Florida – St. Johns County School District
  • Aymette Medina, Davenport, Florida – Navigator Academy of Leadership – Davenport
  • Monika Moorman, Plantation, Florida – Central Park Elementary

• Idaho
  • Janna Privette, Kooskia, Idaho – Idaho Virtual Academy

• Maine
  • Meredith Swartzendruber, Scarborough, Maine – Scarborough Middle School

• Michigan
  • Jason O’Hare, Traverse City, Michigan – Blair Elementary 

• North Carolina
  • Milton Lima, Henderson, North Carolina – STEM Early High School

• Texas
  • Sharon Boese, McKinney, Texas – McKinney Christian Academy

 

About Teacher Liaison Program

Teacher Liaison program was established in 2004 and now operates under Center for Innovation and Education at Space Foundation. The program advocates for space education on an international level, using immersive experiences in STEM, non-STEM, and 21st century business and life skills to inspire the next generation of contributors — artists to astronauts, skilled workers to scientists, engineers to entrepreneurs, and more. More than 300 Teacher Liaisons from around the globe benefit from live and virtual training, innovative materials, standards-based lesson plans, and mentoring resources provided by Space Foundation to further integrate space principles into their classrooms, schools, homes, communities and beyond. New Teacher Liaisons are selected annually following a formal application process. To learn more about Teacher Liaisons at Space Foundations, please visit www.discoverspace.org/education/resources-for-educators/teacher-liaisons/.

About Center for Innovation and Education

Center for Innovation and Education, a division of Space Foundation, is a lifelong learning platform for the global space ecosystem that offers workforce development and economic opportunity for students, teachers, entrepreneurs and professionals via digital programming or live at Discovery Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Through its Workforce Development Roadmap, sponsored programs, and global collaborations, Center for Innovation and Education enhances the outlook and opportunities for new jobs, careers and new business ventures through its Space Commerce Entrepreneurship Programs, New Generation Young Professional Program, Professional Teacher Training, and Space-Inspired Curriculum. To learn more about Center for Innovation and Education, please visit www.spacefoundation.org/cie, and visit www.discoverspace.org to learn more about Space Foundation Discovery Center.

About Space Foundation

Space Foundation is a nonprofit advocate organization founded in 1983, offering a gateway to education, information and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that define the global space ecosystem. Driven by a partnership model, Space Foundation operates three divisions that unite the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through corporate membership, sponsorship, fundraising and grants: Center for Innovation and Education is a lifelong learning platform. Symposium 365 is the premier source for media and events, including the world-renowned Space Symposium. Global Alliance facilitates collaboration around the world. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Tags: Space Foundation, Teacher Liaison program, Center for Innovation and Education, STEM education, workforce development, lifelong learning, 36th Space Symposium

Media Contacts:

Rich Cooper
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
[email protected]

Dottie O’Rourke
TECHMarket Communications
(650) 344-1260
[email protected]

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