Do You Know a Courageous Teacher?

Courage is an important quality not often recognized in teachers. The Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education honors this special form of courage.

This prize is different than other "Teacher of the Year" awards. "Rewarding courage selects out a slightly different kind of teacher," said Dr. Gregg Wright, creator of the prize. The teachers who are recognized are all excellent educators, but they go beyond excellence by showing courage. Courage can be displayed in many different ways, but the common denominator among all the prizewinners is the lasting and positive effect they have had on their students and on their peers. As Bob Kerrey said in the introduction to the McAuliffe Prize 20 year retrospective magazine, "The trends affecting education today make courageous teachers even more important, affecting every school in Nebraska. . . . Courage is not taught by a curriculum, it is caught from the example of others."

The prize was started as a memorial for Christa McAuliffe, the teacher/astronaut who lost her life in the Challenger space shuttle accident in January, 1986. Ms. McAuliffe provided a very visible demonstration of both courage and excellence in education--qualities that are found in many Nebraska teachers to the benefit of all our children. This fund provides a way to recognize these teachers, and at the same time honor the memory of Ms. McAuliffe's courage.

The prize is awarded annually to a Nebraska teacher. The winning teacher receives a $1000 stipend and a plaque.