Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Where Were You?
I was teaching fifth grade at Gilmore Lane Elementary. When I heard about the first plane I was on a break while my students were at PE. We curiously turned the news on. It was after the second crash but before the first building fell. I don't remember exactly the moment that I realized that this was no accident, but when I did, my instinct was to turn off the television because I wasn't sure how the children would handle it. I turned it off, we talked about it a little and I went on with instruction. Before we broke for lunch I thought it would be important for the kids to know what was going on, in case they heard rumors and misinformation while at lunch and recess. By that time both buildings had fallen, the other two planes had crashed, and I I knew that I would always remember that day for the rest of my life. Ironically Jeanna and I had signed the contract for our first cell phones the day before, and I never wish I had one so much. I also remember reading the news on the internet for the first time ever that day. I guess those fifth graders would be juniors in high school at this point. I wonder how many of them had to write in a journal today stating where they were that September day. I think Alan Jackson does a wonderful job on this song. I would really like to hear, for posterity and my own curiosity, your stories of where you were that day and what you were doing. May God bless you, and may God bless our country.
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I was in my second year of teaching at Grant Line. I remember Carolyn Wells coming to my room and telling me what happened...after the 1st plane hit the trade center. I had no idea the magnitude of what she was telling me. I said nothing to the students...I was young and didn't know what to tell them so I decided to say nothing. After lunch I mentioned it but left the discussion to the parents. I'll never forget how dumb I felt at not knowing what all of it meant until I watched the news and learned what a tradegy it was.
ReplyDeleteKarie Jackson
I was next door to Karie Jackson at Grant Line teaching a group of second graders. Karie came over and told me about the first plane and, like Karie, I didn't realize the magnitude of the statement. I put it in the back of my mind and continued to teach. My second graders and I were beginning a new day. Then, our principal brought each grade level into the hall and told us what had happened and we decided as a group how we would handle our grade level. We decided we'd tell the kids that there had been a terrible accident and that some planes crashed into a building in New York. After answering immediate questions and reassuring them that they were safe, we told them to talk to their parents if they had any further questions.
ReplyDeleteI never did watch much footage of that day. With a baby at home there was not much time. When she was in bed I watched a bit. I decided after a while that sitting in front of the television was not good for my heart or soul. I remember thinking, "What is God's purpose? I wonder how God will use this. This is the beginning of a new era. Thank God for my family."
Many years have passed and the flags of that first year have come down. But there's not a plane that goes overhead without someone looking, wondering, praying. The whole thing is humbling.