Each Sept. 11, my memories are of the classroom. I was teaching a combined class of Advanced Placement English and AP Government. The 56 high school seniors who stayed with me and my co-teacher while we watched events unfold taught me a great deal about grief and dignity under duress. Being with teenagers that day meant I had to be “strong” for my charges; but what happened is that they supported me with the questions I would have been embarrassed to ask in the company of adults: “How can this happen in America? How could we not have known such a conspiracy was taking place? Will our country ever be the same? Will we ever get over this fear?”

My students went through the stages of mourning: shock and disbelief, anger, depression, and eventual resignation that everything would be different in the future. Because I wore the mantle of teacher, I was able to observe and internalize their reactions — which kept my own in check. I will always be grateful for my students’ wisdom during this crisis.