NASA

Barabara Morgan

BOISE - NASA has formally announced Barbara Morgan's decision to leave NASA, in advance of her new job at Boise State University.

The Idaho teacher-astronaut spent nearly two weeks in space last year aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, after decades with the space agency.

NASA bosses praised Morgan's hard work and dedication.

"Barbara has served NASA and the Astronaut Office with distinction over the course of her career," Astronaut Office chief Steve Lindsey said in a prepared statement. "From the Teacher in Space Program to her current position as a fully qualified astronaut, she has set a superb example and been a consistent role model for both teachers and students. She will be missed."

Boise State announced the hiring of Morgan earlier this month. She'll serve in a specially created role that will let her shape education initiatives in the areas of science, engineering, math and technology.

Before beginning her NASA journey, Morgan was a grade school teacher at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in McCall. She was chosen as an alternate for the Teacher in Space program. Fellow teacher Christa McAuliffe was aboard the Shuttle Challenger when it exploded after takeoff in 1985.