Sharon Ryan – Creator of the STEM Shuttle Program

Sharon Ryan, the founder and Chairwoman of the Dream Flight USA Foundation and the creator of the STEM Shuttle program, retired in 2015 as a full-time 5th grade teacher at John Marshall Elementary School in the Wausau, WI School District.

Mrs. Ryan is the recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Elementary Mathematics and Science Teaching. Other honors include being named the Wisconsin Elementary Teacher of the Year, the Wisconsin Space and Aviation Teacher of the Year, the Wausau YWCA Woman of Vision Award, the Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Technology Education Association – Award of Excellence in Elementary Technology Integration, and Distinguished Science Teacher Award-Wisconsin Elementary Science Teachers.

The original Dream Flight Wausau program, which she developed for the Wausau School District, was featured on ABC Television’s Good Morning America. The program was chosen as one of the top 30 innovative programs in the United States by PBS New York’s Searching for a Hero.

Mrs. Ryan attended the NASA Rockets for Schools program, authored a unit on “A hands-on approach to teaching science, and integrating science across the curriculum” for Harcourt Brace Publishing, and has presented at numerous workshops across the country.

Sue Bushman – On Board Teacher

Sue Bushman is a veteran On Board Teacher, and has traveled with the STEM Shuttle throughout the region.

Mrs. Bushman began her second teaching career after retiring from the Wisconsin Rapids School District in 2012.

She received her Teaching and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

Sandy Smith – On Board Teacher

Sandy Smith is an experienced On Board Teacher on the STEM Shuttle, traveling to several schools throughout the region on an annual basis. She also serves on the STEM Shuttle crew during the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Mrs. Smith began her second teaching career after retiring from the Wisconsin Rapids School District in 2012.

Sandy received her Teaching and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.