It certainly speaks well of an agency when another Space Foundation Teacher Liaison has been named a Teacher of the Year. Kathy Spykstra, a fifth grade science and math teacher at The Denver Christian School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, was named a 2009 Challenger Center Teacher of the Year, after being nominated by a co-worker.

Kathy is the mother of four boys, ages four- to 19-years, and said her husband first alerted her to the Space Foundation’s Educator Professional Development classes*, which led to her becoming a Teacher Liaison. The classes teach educators how to use space themes in the classroom to improve students’ proficiency – and interest – in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her Educator Professional Development experiences led her to adopt space-related curriculum.

“I’ve always loved anything to do with space and astronomy,” said Spykstra. “I found that everything I learned in the Space Foundation’s Educator Professional Development classes could be immediately applied to my lesson plans. I’ve been to other workshops where that wasn’t true, but what makes the Educator Professional Development classes so successful is they can be applied to any curriculum. It’s fantastic!”

Spykstra said she copied the Educator Professional Development robotics and rocketry classes for her students, and it was so successful that her students’ parents also got involved. “They were as excited as their children, and encouraged their learning,” she said. “And it helped to have a supportive principal.

“It’s been wonderful to use the backdrop of space to teach my regular curriculum. The kids just eat it up. If you attach their learning to something real-world then they have a reason to understand problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The students learn the how to work together to accomplish a goal.”

Spykstra, who describes herself as a lifelong learner, will temporarily leave teaching to start nursing school this fall. She hopes to be able to combine her interests in nursing and teaching. “My students said I should become a nurse for NASA,” she laughed.

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts of the space shuttle Challenger 51-L mission and is dedicated to the educational spirit of that mission. Tracey Tomme, Flight Director at the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado, said Spykstra “has established within her classroom the very ideals that Challenger stands for; sharing a commitment to learning about science, mathematics, and technology.”

*Previously known as Space Discovery Institute classes