FRAMINGHAM, MA and PHILADELPHIA, PA – The United States Mint has begun taking orders for a 2021 Silver Dollar to commemorate Christa McAuliffe, who grew up in the and went on the become the First Teacher in Space and was tragically killed in the 1986 NASA Challenger Space Shuttle explosion.
Christa McAuliffe, who was born Sharon Christa Corrigan, but known as “Christa” since childhood, grew up off Water Street and graduated from Framingham’s Marian High School in 1966. She went on to earn her bachelors degree at Framingham State College, studying American History and Education, then earned her Masters Degree in Education from Bowie State College.
Retiring Framingham Elementary School Teacher Pat Towle and Deb Cleveland, Executive Director, Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni, (IAFSA)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Retiring McCarthy Elementary School teacher Patricia Towle of Framingham was honored with this year’s Touch the Future Award from the Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA), Adams Road, Framingham. The award’s name is inspired by Framingham State alum Christa McAuliffe’s oft quoted, “I touch the future, I teach.” as well as Christa’s innovation and enthusiasm in teaching.
Towle, a 1964 Framingham State graduate, joined the Peace Corps before beginning her teaching career, most of which has been at the Miriam McCarthy Elementary School in Framingham. She opened her classroom to student teachers and maintained a collaborative and creative classroom environment. She inspired students to reach beyond the classroom door and become involved in the community. They witnessed her work on faculty committees to improve curriculum, school climate, and teacher morale. They saw her organize school fundraisers such as fashion or talent shows.
Towle lives and works in Framingham and participated in the Newcomers Club and the Framingham History Center. For several years she served as an enthusiastic IAFSA Board member. She showed her students that a teacher’s impact can go far beyond an individual classroom.
She is retiring this June and hopes to spend more time in Maine.
The purpose of this award is to honor and acknowledge teachers who teach teachers; especially those who have contributed to advancing knowledge in a (more…)
