This Saturday will mark the 20th year of the worst terror attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Anyone over the age of 16 in 2001 can undoubtedly tell you what they were doing when the towers were struck by the first and second airplanes, followed by the plane into the Pentagon, and the downing of flight 93 in Shanksville, PA. I remember that day as perfectly as if it were today.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was a beautiful and sunny day. it was Picture Day at my school, and I was wearing ca jean skirt with a pretty yellow T shirt and gold necklace. I coached boys' golf, and we were leaving school early for a golf match later that day. The morning was crisp and clear, and I got to school very early to work on a lesson for the next week. After first period Theatre class, I went to study hall. It was my custom in 2nd period study hall to turn on the news at 9 am in my study hall. Kids often needed a current event or news item, so I obliged them the last 10 minutes or so of study hall to watch the news if everyone was finished with their homework. On that Tuesday, one boy asked me for an extra minute to finish his math, when a teacher stopped by to tell me that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I told the students what had happened, and I turned on the TV set. All 30 of use in the room saw the second plane hit the second building. The students looked at me. My only answer was. "I don't think that was an accident." I will be forever linked to my study hall on 9/11 for the remainder of time, and them to me.
The rest of that day is a blur of fear and news and wondering. many parents came to the school to take their children home. I took a class for a colleague who went to pick up her child. This teacher was afraid her husband was on one of those two planes in New York, and she needed her child to be close to her. (He was not on the plane - he had missed it.) The golf match and all other school activities were canceled for the day, while America tried to figure out how and why these tragedies happened.
Thousands of lives were lost, and the images of the Towers falling and people jumping from the windows is too much for me to dwell on. Instead, I will remember something good that happened: Americans united. Flags went up in every neighborhood, and Americans were proud to be a part of the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. Patriotism was back. People work T shits and ties and scarves made with the American flag. Flag pins were on every lapel, and police and firemen and first responders were honored for their bravery. Night after night, restaurants and bars were empty because all of America was tuned into the national news to find out more about what happened, what was currently happening, and what would happen. It was a time of great stress, great sadness, and great patriotism.
I hope people will take the time to reflect upon the 20 year anniversary of 9/11, when we appreciated public servants and our country, which is not perfect, but is the only one to offer such freedoms as we know them.
God bless the USA.
Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
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