9.11.12 Thinking of everyone in our country

On 9.11.12, I was in a computer lab with my 3rd grade students, who were taking a state mandated test.  (Sigh.) These tests are like lock down...ultra monitoring of students, noone leaves the room, etc.  My principal came in and said, "Mrs. Heesch, you are needed in the library for a few minutes.  I will take your class."  (Shocking and rare!)  She wanted me to see some of the footage of the twin towers and the live coverage, just so I would be prepared for dealing with students.  Older students watched some of the live footage.  For 3rd graders, I kept the focus on our normal day, feeling that they should talk with their families at home first, and also knowing we would be discussing this day for years to come.

I missed teaching yesterday.  There is such importance to being there in the teachable moment for students.  The discussions of the tragedy of 9.11.12 are so multifaceted and beneficial.  Children need to understand that there are people of all ethnic groups, religions, and nationalities that are extremists, but there are also wonderful people of every ethnic group, religion, and nationality in our world.  There are so many great books and resources for learning more about the events of this day, and how it affected people in New York City, our country, and our world.

We need to be respectful of the enormous undertaking the groups trying to make our country and citizens safer were faced with.  At my company, we fly a lot for work.  We dress for efficiency of airport travel, and are always respectful of security staff, who are all just trying to do their job.  We don't wear a lot of metal jewelry on that day. We wear shoes we can slip off.  We carry all the right ID and paperwork.  We have dr. notes excusing us from scanners if we are pregnant.  In retrospect, is it really that hard to make sure you don't have a bottle of liquid over 3 ounces?  Is this really worth not planning for or being difficult over?

In our country, we have freedom of speech that allows us to critisize those who defend our freedom and keep us safe.  Freedom isn't free, and never has been.  Today I think of all the victims, citizens of every ethnic, religious, and nationality. We are all in this together.  More than ever, our children live in a global world.