story1636.xml

story1636.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-01

I was teaching 8th grade math at the time in Camden, NJ. When the first plane hit the WTC, I was just finishing my prep period. As a teacher, you are isolated in your classroom and do not have access to news instantly. I did not know of the tragic events of September 11 until 11:30 am. One of my colleagues entered my room and asked if I knew "the news." I expected her to tell me that one of our students had been suspended. When she began to tell me of what has been happening, I was grief struck, like much of the world. I remember exactly what I was teaching and who was sitting near me to see my face turn ghost white.
At that point, we were unsure if the attacks on the US were finished, I was worried about a possible attack on Philadelphia- just across the river from where I was. We dismissed school early that day. It was a fast drive home for me-- home to my loved ones.
I was stunned. I was upset. I was horrified. I still am. I watch specials on television and continue to cry for those families who lost loved ones and I cry for our country.
As a teacher, it was difficult to answer children's questions regarding the attacks, as I had no answers to satisfy my questions either. It was an experience we had to go through together. As a country, it is something we have all had to grieve with together and grow stronger from together.