It's easy to forget that teachers are asked to be "first responders" for students in times of crisis, among their many other duties. I asked colleagues about their experiences in the classroom on 9/11 and there were two themes among the responses from coworkers who were high school students at the time and from former teachers. Teachers who knew of a protocol said the day went as practiced. For those with less of a routine, there was confusion about how much information to share, especially for kids whose parents or other family members might be in harm's way. Importantly, teachers mentioned thoughts of their own children who might be coming home to an empty house while they stayed at school to look after their students.

-- Nancy Waymack