7th grade. In math class. Teacher starts acting weird. Class gets interrupted as she walks out into the hallway to discuss something with a few other teachers.
She walks back in and says something along the lines of "you guys are at an age where we can't pretend you're children so I think it's important that when it comes to something like this we be straight with you and tell you what's going on rather than hide it. There's been an attack on America and we're going to stop class for the day because you deserve to be informed." Obviously I don't remember her exact words but it was something like that. I do remember that she was very rattled and a little panicky but also kinda sad. She then got the TV and set it up at the front of the classroom and turned on the news. I feel like I vaguely remember her leaving the room crying at some point during the program? Not sure tho, might be my imagination filling in the blanks at this point.
Looking back, it was a pretty respectable way to approach the situation.
I was in high-school and during class change one of my friends was saying a plane flew into the twin towers. She was sorta laughing when she said it (kids can react weird to unknown situations I guess) so at the time I thought what class does she take it sounds awesome. I assumed they were doing a 'war game' simulation where different groups make certain moves and you see what would happen. Looking back now, the fact that that was my first thought proves how much times have changed. I'm sure students never 'war game' as different nations for the fear of offending someone, or a kid getting hauled out for 'violent or inappropriate thoughts.' When I got to the next class the TV was on and I realized it was an actual attack. The weird thing about my experience happening at school is I can't remember a single teacher saying anything to us about itself. We would just switch classes, sit down, and silently stare at the tv... teachers included. We watched the news all day, in every classroom. When I walked through the door when I got home my mom was sitting on the edge of her bed watching TV and crying. My father told me he had ran into the bedroom that morning while my mother was still sleeping screaming "WAKE UP THEYRE ATTACKING US, WERE UNDER ATTACK"
This is more or less how it happened for me, but in 9th grade. I'm in WA state, so my dad woke me up before my alarm to show me fox news coverage. It was chilling
After another teacher came in and shared the news, my teacher turned on the TV and we saw the tower burning. Moments later the second plane hit.
I remember vividly the look on my teacher's face at that moment. He was normally a lighthearted dude, but his solemn expression as he turned off the TV and sat down in his chair made the class fall silent for probably a minute.
That last paragraph.. I bet that moment broke the "adult" illusion we all had as kids for so many kids. You know, adults don't cry and are always strong, teachers aren't normal people they're just teachers. Of course I knew they were people but hopefully you know what I mean. It showed humanity. Normal jovial typically unbiased teachers looking terrified, sad, dejected, etc.
7th grade. In math class. Teacher starts acting weird. Class gets interrupted as she walks out into the hallway to discuss something with a few other teachers.
She walks back in and says something along the lines of "you guys are at an age where we can't pretend you're children so I think it's important that when it comes to something like this we be straight with you and tell you what's going on rather than hide it. There's been an attack on America and we're going to stop class for the day because you deserve to be informed." Obviously I don't remember her exact words but it was something like that. I do remember that she was very rattled and a little panicky but also kinda sad. She then got the TV and set it up at the front of the classroom and turned on the news. I feel like I vaguely remember her leaving the room crying at some point during the program? Not sure tho, might be my imagination filling in the blanks at this point.
Looking back, it was a pretty respectable way to approach the situation.
I was in high-school and during class change one of my friends was saying a plane flew into the twin towers. She was sorta laughing when she said it (kids can react weird to unknown situations I guess) so at the time I thought what class does she take it sounds awesome. I assumed they were doing a 'war game' simulation where different groups make certain moves and you see what would happen. Looking back now, the fact that that was my first thought proves how much times have changed. I'm sure students never 'war game' as different nations for the fear of offending someone, or a kid getting hauled out for 'violent or inappropriate thoughts.' When I got to the next class the TV was on and I realized it was an actual attack. The weird thing about my experience happening at school is I can't remember a single teacher saying anything to us about itself. We would just switch classes, sit down, and silently stare at the tv... teachers included. We watched the news all day, in every classroom. When I walked through the door when I got home my mom was sitting on the edge of her bed watching TV and crying. My father told me he had ran into the bedroom that morning while my mother was still sleeping screaming "WAKE UP THEYRE ATTACKING US, WERE UNDER ATTACK"
That moment gives me chills just imagining it.
I woke my kids up to watch the news (I’m in a time zone 4 hours east). We all hugged and prayed and cried.
Oops, west ...
This is more or less how it happened for me, but in 9th grade. I'm in WA state, so my dad woke me up before my alarm to show me fox news coverage. It was chilling
Very similar experience for me.
After another teacher came in and shared the news, my teacher turned on the TV and we saw the tower burning. Moments later the second plane hit.
I remember vividly the look on my teacher's face at that moment. He was normally a lighthearted dude, but his solemn expression as he turned off the TV and sat down in his chair made the class fall silent for probably a minute.
That last paragraph.. I bet that moment broke the "adult" illusion we all had as kids for so many kids. You know, adults don't cry and are always strong, teachers aren't normal people they're just teachers. Of course I knew they were people but hopefully you know what I mean. It showed humanity. Normal jovial typically unbiased teachers looking terrified, sad, dejected, etc.
That's how it felt for me, and I'm sure many others.