story826.xml

story826.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-06-25

The morning of September 11, 2001, started off as most school days do for me. I am a teacher, and had arrived at school early to complete some paperwork. I have no radio or television in my classroom, so I am pretty much isolated from the outside world. It was only when a teacher who had arrived to school later had informed me that a plane had just struck the world trade center that I found out what had happened. At first I did not grasp the enormity of the situation. It seemed like a pretty horrific accident, but I had no idea of the political ramifications at the time. It wasn't until I heard about the second plane that I was thinking anyone could have possibly done this on purpose. As detailed become increasingly available I grew increasingly apprehensive. I teach 10 year olds, so I wasn't sure just what or anything to tell them. My peers and I discussed our fears with our principal. We even wondered if school would or should remain open. Ultimately it was decided that school would remain open, and that we should each explain to our children as much as we thought they were capable of understanding. It was very difficult, for even we, as adults, were not sure what had happened at this time. We did, however, do our best to try and not frighten the children. As I drove home that day after school I remember listening to the details on the radio. As I listened I remembered my feelings changing from sorrow to anger. How dare someone do this to the United States of America? How dare they kill all those innocent people to promote their "cause"? I thought of my own children. How were they feeling? Were they scared? What will I tell them? My own children are older, so I needed a different way of talking to them then to my students. I thought toward the future. What is going to happen to us? Will will now be at war? And if so, with whom? Overall, I guess the day was filled with a huge variety of feelings including anger, sorrow, concern, and confusion.