What does it take to get special needs students into Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama? A teacher with a lot of determination who was seeking new ways to help his students learn and overcome any challenge.
Michael Kersjes, a retired special education teacher and football coach from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the author of the book “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” which describes his efforts to get the first group of 20 students with disabilities into Space Camp in 1989. The book later was made into an Emmy award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.
Kersjes brought his motivational message to Kennedy Space Center in October for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Organized by the center’s Disability Awareness and Action Working Group (DAAWG) and led by co-chairpersons Nicole Delvesco and Jessica Conner, Kersjes’ presentation focused on the “Power of the Human Spirit” in dealing with obstacles and how to reach a common purpose.
“I really appreciate what the DAAWG does to bring disability awareness at Kennedy to the forefront. There isn’t anything that you can’t do if you put your mind to it,” said Kennedy Director Bob Cabana. “Everybody has something to contribute. It’s our diversity that makes this center the great place that it is.”
Susan Kroskey, Kennedy’s chief financial officer and executive champion for DAAWG, said the group is a very active and positive group that is passionate about promoting the possibilities and capabilities of individuals with disabilities in our workplace.
“We recognize the enrichment of our diverse culture from employees with disabilities. Whether they be visible or hidden challenges,” Kroskey said.
Kersjes taught special needs children in the Grand Rapids public schools system for 25 years. He has five certifications in special education and a degree in psychology. He taught students with hearing and visual impairments, Down’s syndrome, Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, emotional issues, and children with leukemia. He’s reached out to a lot of children.
“I don’t see them as physical disabilities, I just see them as obstacles to overcome,” Kersjes said.
NASA noticed his work and Dr. Lynn Bondurant with Glenn Research Center worked with him to put a grant together for $100,000. After the program proved successful, Kersjes teamed up with Michigan State University to write a major grant to the National Science Foundation. He won that grant for $450,000 to keep improving the success rate.
What began with 20 students from Michigan has blossomed into more than 3,000 ninth- and tenth-grade participants from around the country attending Space Camp during the last 10 years. Kersjes said that Space Camp was very hard for the students because they didn’t understand what obstacles were. They hadn’t had the opportunity to experience them.
That first group asked Kersjes to write a book about their experience and work to get the story made into a movie. They told him: “You can inspire people. You have the words.”
He wrote the book in 2002, and it took 10 years to get the movie produced. According to Hallmark, it is their most requested movie and has the highest DVD sales of all time.
What was his motivation to become a special education teacher? It was 1972 and he had just returned from Vietnam and was preparing to start junior college. His aunt and uncle had a son, Kevin, with Down’s syndrome, and needed someone they could trust to help take care of him from time to time. His mother asked him if he would mind helping out when needed.
“I said ‘yes,’ and after my experience from the weekend I knew from that moment on my calling was special education,” Kersjes said. “I believe in teaching kids to challenge themselves, to question the labels that have been thrust upon them.”
Delvesco closed the event by expressing her appreciation for his extraordinary support of his students.
“Thank you, Mike, for all you have done for your special kids. I know they are grateful for your dedication to them,” Delvesco said.