We were so torn, because as adults, as teachers, we had grown up with the space program and knew that what had just happened was incredibly devastating.

There was this big puff, this big ball of smoke, with the two trailing boosters. But because we didn't know what we were looking at, we didn't realize that big ball was the explosion . . . We were all just watching what we thought was a phase of a launch.

And at the same time, what we really had to try and do was set aside our own grief to take care of those kids.

In the space world, to be able to fly the next new mission, you have to have flight heritage from the previous mission. But if you don't fly the previous mission…it's kind of a chicken and egg thing.

The real heroes are the librarians and teachers who at no small risk to themselves refuse to lie down and play dead for censors.

It just seems to be the next step for us with the additional work bays and classroom space. Right now, our students get training in the areas of engine performance, steering and suspension, electrical and electronics and brakes. With the post-secondary program, we would add air conditioning and complete engine and transmission work.