nmah465.xml

nmah465.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-28

My 4th grade students had gone to PE, like they do any other day. I was preparing to go to a grade level meeting when my principal said that the TV was on in the teacher's lounge and we need to go watch. When we entered the room, we saw the second plane hit. At first, like many Americans, I thought this was a movie or even a joke. When the reality hit, I thought "Do I tell my students?" Then, I remember my 5th grade teacher telling us about the Challenger explosion. When my students came back from PE, I told them that something aweful has happened and we need to have a serious talk. I was on the verge of tears. I told them that today would be a day they would never forget. I told them about how I clearly remember the Challenger explosion and how my parents remember Kennedy's asassination. I told them what happened and immediately the questions started. Are we going to war? Did people get hurt? Are they going to bomb our school? Some questions I had answers to, many I did not. As teachers, we made the decision to let our kids watch the events on TV. We saw the towers fall. My students wanted to know why people hate Americans so much. I told them they do not hate Americans, but rather what we stand for.I will always remember that day. I will never forget when I first heard the song by Alan Jackson "Where were you when the world stopped turning?" I was in a classroom full of innocent children.

I do not feel as safe. I have a lot more tolerance of others and others are more tolerant also. I saw so many people start being nice to others. I noticed strangers holding doors for others, people smiling at eachother more.

All of it. The good, the bad, everything. Especially the victims and the children who lost parents, siblings, grandparents.