Born: November 28, 1951 (Fresno, California)
Biography:
Barbara Radding Morgan was an American teacher and astronaut who played a significant role in the NASA Teacher in Space program. Born on November 28, 1951, in Fresno, California, Morgan developed a passion for education and space exploration from an early age.
Morgan attended Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno and graduated in 1969. She then received acceptance into Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, where she graduated with distinction in 1973, earning a B.A. in Human Biology. Following her undergraduate studies, Morgan obtained her teaching credential from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont in 1974.
In 1974, Morgan embarked on her teaching career at Arlee Elementary School on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Arlee, Montana. It was here that she taught remedial reading and math. From 1975 to 1978, Morgan taught at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in McCall, Idaho, where she continued to focus on remedial reading and math, as well as second-grade education. Seeking new experiences, Morgan embarked on a teaching adventure in Quito, Ecuador in 1978, where she taught English and science to third graders at Colegio Americano de Quito for a year. Returning to McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in 1979, Morgan taught second, third, and fourth grades until 1998.
Morgan’s life took a momentous turn when she was selected as the backup candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Project on July 19, 1985. Alongside Christa McAuliffe and the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger, Morgan trained at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, from September 1985 to January 1986. Tragically, the Challenger disaster occurred, resulting in the loss of the crew, including McAuliffe. Morgan then assumed the duties of Teacher in Space Designee, working tirelessly from March to July 1986, educating the public and speaking at various educational organizations across the country. During this period, she also served on the National Science Foundation’s Federal Task Force for Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering.
Following her work with NASA, Morgan returned to her teaching career in the fall of 1986. She continued teaching second and third grades at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School, all while maintaining her connection with NASA through the Education Division, Office of Human Resources, and Education. Throughout this time, Morgan played an instrumental role in curriculum design, educational consulting, and public speaking engagements.
In January 1998, Morgan’s immense dedication and hard work paid off when she was selected as an astronaut candidate (mission specialist) by NASA. This appointment fulfilled the dream she had shared with McAuliffe over a decade earlier. Morgan began her training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in August 1998, undergoing an intensive two-year program that evaluated her skills and prepared her for space missions. After successfully completing her training, she was assigned to the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch, where she took on various technical duties.
Morgan’s crowning achievement came in August 2007 when she flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-118 as a mission specialist. This made her the first teacher to have ever traveled to space. During the mission, she worked on various tasks, including robotics, spacewalks, and construction activities. Morgan’s contributions to the mission exemplified her dedication to education and space exploration, inspiring countless students and teachers around the world.
Throughout her career, Morgan earned immense recognition for her contributions. Her accolades include serving as a member of the National Science Foundation’s Federal Task Force for Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering and being named a Distinguished Alumna at Stanford University. Morgan’s journey stands as an inspiration for women and educators across the globe, emphasizing the boundless opportunities that exist within the realms of education and space exploration.
Awards:
– Distinguished Alumna at Stanford University.