Space Foundation Announces International Teacher Liaisons for 2026

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

• Program globally promotes space-related STEM education in schools
• ‘Flight 26’ includes six international teachers from six nations outside the U.S.
• Selectees will take part in the Space Symposium in April

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jan. 21, 2026 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced 38 educators have been selected to join the International Teacher Liaison Program, including six international applicants from Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria. These elite educators were chosen for their active promotion of space and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the classroom.

Space Foundation International Teacher Liaisons are a community of more than 400 educators in 25 countries and 40 states who work to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. Established in 2004, this internationally recognized program provides benefits that improve teaching skills, provide an encouraging community for educators, and influence space and science education at a global level.

Remarking on the new Teacher Liaisons, Senior Director of Space Foundation Discovery Center Heidi Vasiloff said, “Flight 26 represents some of the most dedicated and innovative STEM educators from around the world. By bringing the wonder and rigor of space-based learning into classrooms, they are shaping the next generation of explorers and advancing global space education. We are excited to welcome these amazing educators into this elite group and to support their efforts to inspire the young people who will lead us back to the Moon, onward to Mars and further into the cosmos.”

Each selected class of Teacher Liaisons is referred to as a “flight” in reference to the teachers’ mission as premier space/STEM educators. Every year, following a rigorous application process, a new flight of Teacher Liaisons is selected. This global program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, in both informal and formal education, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers, and others who deliver educational programs to students. A panel comprised of experienced Teacher Liaisons and representatives from the space industry and the military selected the newest flight.

Space Foundation supports Teacher Liaisons by providing them with curriculum resources and various professional development opportunities. Teacher Liaisons also get the opportunity to design hands-on learning activities in a collaborative setting and engage with top educators and space industry experts.

“Being part of the Teacher Liaison Program allows me to bring real-world aerospace experiences directly into the classroom, empowering students, especially those who may not yet see themselves in STEM, to imagine bold futures in New Mexico and beyond. This opportunity strengthens the bridge between education, innovation and global possibility for our school, our community and our state, as my colleagues and I work toward developing future programs that are still to come,” said Liza Ortiz, International Teacher Liaison from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 2026 flight of Teacher Liaisons will be recognized at Space Foundation’s annual Space Symposium, to be held April 13–16 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. In addition to the recognition activities, Teacher Liaisons will participate in special programming at Symposium that includes keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and breakout sessions.

Introducing Space Foundation’s Teacher Liaison Flight 26

United States

Arizona

• Lauren James, Arizona Astrobiology Center, Tucson

California

• Nicole Watts, San Francisco State University, San Francisco

Colorado

• Caleb Ulliman, Colorado Springs School of Science and Technology, Colorado Springs
• Crystal Everingham, Sand Creek International, Colorado Springs
• David Dillard, Columbia Elementary School, Colorado Springs
• Jayme Sneider, Innovation Center, Longmont
• Jennifer Jones, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton
• Kristi Hensley, Summit Elementary, Divide
• Mitchell Smith, Space Foundation Discovery Center, Colorado Springs
• Paolo Calvadores, Julesburg School District RE-1, Julesburg
• Shirly Davis, Windsor Charter Academy, Windsor
• Stacey Mishler, Mesa Ridge High School, Colorado Springs
• Tracie Skoglund, Skyview Middle School, Pueblo County District 70, Pueblo

Maryland

• Monique Wilson, James E. Richmond Science Center, Waldorf

Minnesota

• Russell Strachan, Pequot Lakes High School, Pequot Lakes

Montana

• Florence Gold, NASA HUNCH, Billings

New Jersey

• Rachel DiVanno, Edgar Middle School, Metuchen
• Samantha Selikoff, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Rockaway Borough

New Mexico

• Lisa Ortiz, Explore Academy, Albuquerque

Ohio

• Jaime Chanter, Lakewood High School, Lakewood

Tennessee

• Kimberly Elbakidze, Red Bank Middle School, Chattanooga

Texas

• Allison Westover, NASA HUNCH, Webster
• Lauren Kelly, Oakmont Elementary, Burleson
• Lucero Martinez, J. T. Canales, Brownsville

Utah

• Sarah Merrill, Douglas Space and Science Foundation, Layton

Virginia

• Darrell Barnard, Jolliff Middle School, Chesapeake
• Emily Zarybnisky Brookfield Elementary School, Chantilly

International

Australia

• Kenneth Silburn, Mamare Anglican School, Kemps Creek

Brazil

• Leticia Puziski Rossato, Fractal Educação, Brasília
• Lucas Teixeira Picanço, Senator João Bosco State School – Parintins, Parintins

India

• Manjula M, Edutech4Space, Bengaluru
• Raghu Siddappa, 10X International School, Mysuru

Kenya

• Isaacc Gathu, Mars Society Kenya, Thika

Malaysia

• Muhammad Hafez bin Ahmat Murtza, Apadilangit / Universe Awareness Malaysia, Kajang

Nigeria

• Abraham Ngobiri, Federal Government College Enugu, Enugu
• Rashidat Ademosu, Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary Grammar school, Bariga, Lagos
• Wahab Ishola Abubakar, Sango Senior Secondary School Kulende Ilorin–Kwara State, Ilorin South
• Zainab Gambo, Queen’s College, Yaba

To learn more about Teacher Liaisons and other Space Foundation education programs, please visit www.discoverspace.org/education.

About Space Foundation

Space Foundation advances the global space community through education, collaboration and information. Founded in 1983, the nonprofit brings together space professionals, educators and leaders from around the world to highlight how space benefits life on Earth and beyond. As a charitable organization, Space Foundation is supported by members, sponsors, individuals and grants. Learn more at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Media Contact:

Zakary Watson
Director, Communications
Space Foundation
719-362-8152
[email protected]

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