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.
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.
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.