September 11, 2010

I remember my mom telling the story of where she was in the classroom when JFK was killed. I can remember sitting in front of the tv at my grandmother's house as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on my birthday. Nine years ago today marks the anniversary of 9/11, another day that most people alive that day will remember with vivid details of where they were, what they were doing, etc.

On September 11, I was in the classroom (a mobile unit), doing my thing when there was a knock at the door. I found a distressed parent standing there explaining to me that her husband was fine and not in New York and to let her daughter know her dad was ok. Of course, I looked at her like she was strange, and then she realized that in my little neck of the school, everything in the world was still fine. I informed my Primary Reading Teacher, and then I left the room. My parents and grandparents were at home packing for a trip to Las Vegas that was to leave on September 12. After talking to my family, I learned that the airspace was closed and there would be no flights for a while.

Later in the day, I would see the footage of the wreckage for the first time, when the kids were in specials. By this time, teachers had been quietly instructed not to mention anything to the children, so I had to keep my game face on. As days past, the kids built a huge American flag on the outside of our trailer, and red, white, and blue became the unofficial school colors. The most eerie aspect of the days following the attack was the noiseless sky above the school. I remember basically jerking my head up when planes started flying again.

That class will always be a little more special in my heart. It is hard to believe that most of them have or are in the process of getting their drivers license.

Nine years later, images from 9/11 are fresh in my mind. However, I had a new experience yesterday. As we watched a 5 minute program on remembering 9/11, my current third graders had a curious look on their faces. Most of my students were born in late 2001 or early 2002, and had not experienced this event. They watched the tribute with interest, but considering they had not been born yet or were infants, the whole event lacked meaning.

When they are my age, those children will be able to recite the whereabouts of their parents on 9/11, just as I can tell you where my parents were when JFK died. Let's hope they will be able to live their lives and never utter the words "I remember exactly where I was the day ___________ happened."