Jacob’s Journal: September 11

Fourteen years ago on September 11th, 2001 I experienced the most powerful and transformative moment in my teaching career.  At the time, I was teaching social studies at Aptos HS in the Monterey Bay area of California.  As I packed my bags for work, I was watching the local news like most mornings.  Local coverage broke away to national breaking news.  The first of the New York Twin Towers was on fire and rumors were rampant about the cause.  At exactly 06:03 Pacific Standard Time Liz and I watched the second plane hit the South Tower live.  In shock, my wife and I got into our cars and headed to work a few minutes later.

When I arrived at school I had about 30 or so students waiting at the door of my classroom because they knew I had one of the few TVs with cable access on the entire campus.  As first block began, my classroom designed for about 30 students had well over 60 in it.  During that 90 minute block, my mettle was truly tested as a teacher, counselor and quasi parent.  Those 90 minutes seemed like an eternity, as we watched both Towers fall and utter chaos ensue in front of us.  We talked, we cried, we held hands and hugged.  History was unfolding in our midst and we tried to make sense of a truly unconscionable event.  I did not know any of the answers and I was truly in the dark.  Together, we attempted to unpack what we were watching.

Our students look to us to make sense of things almost daily.  Many times we know the answers, but sometimes we do not.  In fact, our task is to play ignorant from time to time in an effort to shift this cognitive load to them with guidance and support.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob