Editorial: Koch's triumphant space journey and value of N.C.'s public education right
Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 -- The potential inheritors of astronaut Christina Koch's legacy must not be denied or shortchanged by failing to provide adequate classroom resources; proper facilities for leaning; an effective pipeline to put quality instructors in every classroom and properly compensated teachers and administrators in every North Carolina public school.
Posted — UpdatedAnd we’re just over the moon.
- Longest stay in space by a female astronaut and second-longest of any astronaut (Scott Kelly; 340 days).
- First all-female spacewalk (not to mention the other five that didn’t get quite the attention).
She completed 5,248 orbits of the Earth, traveling 139 million miles (to the Sun and about half-way back).
She made us feel as if we were beside her – whether walking in space with Jessica Meir; playing baseball with fellow astronauts; eating space pizza; celebrating holidays; or playing scrabble on her birthday with her mates on the space station.
While there is much to remember about Christina Koch’s space flight, it is what got her there that NO North Carolinian should forget – and must be committed to sustaining.
She is a product of our state’s public school and higher education system – Hunters Creek Middle School and White Oak High School in Onslow County, then on to the N.C. School of Science and Math (class of 1997), N.C. State University where she received her undergraduate degrees (class of 2001) and graduate degree in engineering (2002).
The various factions involved in implementing the solution – our governor; state board of education and most significantly legislature – should keep the example of Christina Koch in mind.
The potential inheritors of her legacy must not be denied or shortchanged by failing to provide adequate classroom resources; proper facilities for learning; an effective pipeline to put quality instructors in every classroom and properly compensated teachers and administrators in every public school.
“What will I miss? The exquisite beauty of both the planet Earth and this marvel that its amazing people created.”
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