I recall sitting in my office hearing the secretaries in the front office talk about a horrific site on the television in the library. The first thought that went through my head was the possibility of another school shooting. Everyone was talking about what a terrible accident and there was not a thought at that time that terrorism was at hand. I sat there watching in amazement. I then traveled back and forth from my office to the library to watch. I was just coming back into the library when the second tower was hit. Amazement, disbelief, and fear were on the thoughts of everyone. Not much later, I was informed of the Pentagon’s trouble. Now fear was at the forefront.

Shortly after hearing about the Pentagon I had to go teach American Government, which was a class full of seniors. A unanimous and emphatic YES was the answer when I asked if they wanted to watch it on television. By this time, every television in every classroom of our high school was tuned in to watch history occur. As a teacher, I have always felt comfortable as being the classroom and instructional leader. However, on this day I told the class that there may be questions that I did not have the answer to, and there were. Mostly we sat there and watched and listened. But, there was good discussion, too. This occurred in the other classes I had that day as well.

Some schools chose not to allow the events of September 11 to be viewed by their students. I feel that this devastating event that took place was history in the making. I am thankful that I was able to be a teacher that allowed and facilitated the students to see what was occurring throughout their nation on September 11.