OUR CREW

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 DIRECTOR

 Commander Ehman assumed the position of the director of the Challenger Learning Center in May 2019. She attended Clarks Summit University and graduated in 2003 with a BA degree in Elementary Education. Initially, she started her teaching career in a 4th-grade classroom but then spent a significant part of the last 15 years as an elementary substitute and multi-grade level teacher in local private schools. She also worked as a Naturalist at Pfeiffer Nature Center for a few years. Commander Ehman loves traveling and spending time with her family during her leisure time. 

 COSMIC SPECIALIST Commander Norton attended D'Youville College and received her BS in Psychology with teaching certification in Special Education and Elementary Education in 1980 and her master's degree in Special Education in 1984 from SUC at Geneseo.  During her teaching career, she taught Special Education classes for the Franklin, Essex and Hamilton County BOCES, Corning-Painted Post School District, Muscatatuck Special Education Center in Madison, IN, Olean City School District and substituted for Buffalo Public Schools.  She also was a Peace Corps Volunteer and served as a Special Education Teacher Trainer in Trujillo, Colon, Honduras, Central America from September 1988 to December 1990.     

 S.P.A.C.E. ACADEMY COORDINATOR 

Commander Bushnell attended St. Bonaventure University and received her BS in Elementary Education and master's degree in Reading. During her 35-year teaching career, she taught grades 2, 4 and 5-8, including special education and remedial math. For eight years she was also a master teacher for the Neighborhood School of Dance at the Salamanca, NY studio. Commander Bushnell was the Technology Using Teacher of the Year in 2007 and received the Lorrinda Murray Innovative Teacher Award in 2010. 

MISSION COMMANDER Commander Bushnell attended Ithaca College as a music major but discovered he enjoyed the field of communications more. He spent 30 years as chief engineer at WHDL-AM/FM in Olean, NY, but he is best known as the friendly, morning, on-air personality at the station. Commander Bushnell received recognition for his many years of community service by being awarded the 2010 Good News Award for Outstanding Enhancement of the local cultural environment. He continues to share his love of music by serving as Musical Director of the Olean Theater Workshop. 

MISSION COMMANDER Commander Keough graduated from S.U.C. Geneseo with a BS in Education. He later became certified in K-12 Vocal Music and taught in that capacity at Scio (NY) Central School for 24 years before teaching 4th grade for seven years. He now supervises student teachers at St. Bonaventure University. Jim was also an applicant to the Teacher in Space Project back in 1985, so the Challenger mission is close to his heart. In his spare time, he enjoys flying radio controlled model aircrafts. 

 MISSION COMMANDER Commander Kane attended St. Bonaventure University receiving her BS degree in Elementary Education in 1977 and a Masters Degree in Counseling in 1984. She taught Science and English Language Arts to 5th and 6th graders at Hinsdale Central School for 39 years before retiring in June of 2016. Commander Kane has a passion for travel and photography taking any opportunity to explore new places and meet new people. She loves the outdoors and enjoys kayaking, snowshoeing and stargazing. She spends as much time as she can with her grandchildren; Landon, Dash and the newest arrivals, Knox and Isla, spoiling them as much as she can. 

 MISSION COMMANDER 

Commander Mikowicz is a highly educated and experienced individual who attended SUNY Plattsburgh and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Mathematics 7-12. She went on to receive her Master's degree from St. Bonaventure and taught in multiple school districts before being hired at Hinsdale Central School. Throughout her impressive 40-year career, Commander Mikowicz taught grades 7-12 Mathematics for most of the time and elementary remedial Math for the last few years. Apart from her work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, particularly her granddaughter.

MISSION COMMANDER

 Commander Stanton graduated from SUNY Canton with a hospitality management degree. After working for the Marriott Corporation for several years in Rochester, NY, she moved to Allegany, NY where she was married and raised her family. Commander Stanton worked at Allegany-Limestone CSD for 10 years in various roles, finishing as middle school secretary. She then worked at Portville CSD as elementary school secretary for 10 years. Commander Stanton enjoys e-bike riding, kayaking and camping with her husband.