Community Members Share 9/11 Memories With Marion County Students

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, students at High Road School of Marion County learned about the events of that day through the firsthand memories of family members, staff, and others in their community.

Community Members Share Their Experiences

Upper Spark classroom teacher Kelly Barley and program director Wendy Sanford invited parents, family members, stakeholders, and community members to share where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, and what they remembered about that day. Twenty people responded with emails, videos, and messages that became part of a weeklong lesson for students.

“I wanted to bring awareness of how 9/11 impacted those who were physically there but also how our loved ones were indirectly affected by the devastation on that day and years to follow,” said Barley. “The entire week’s focus was to bring awareness, understanding, and empathy to everyone involved.”

9/11 Memories Bring History to Life

For students who were born years after 9/11, the personal accounts offered a perspective that went beyond what they could learn from a textbook or archival footage.

“Hearing firsthand accounts made it feel like a real part of history as opposed to just a story read in a book, fundamentally changing students’ perspectives on 9/11 and what it meant to those affected by it,” said Sanford.

Students Reflect on September 11

Sanford talked with the class before students watched the submitted videos and archival footage. She explained what they were about to see and provided context for the events.
Afterward, she spoke with 10th-grader Nick about how the lesson had changed his understanding of 9/11.

“I never really paid too much attention because I wasn’t there, so I knew it was a big thing but never put that much thought about it,” said Nick. “When I watched the videos of the people, you told us where you were and how you felt, it made it real. I felt bad for you, I saw you almost cry and I didn’t like to see you upset or the other people in the videos, and then actually I started to get mad. I wasn’t sure who to be mad at though. It was really scary, I hope nothing like that happens again.”

Building Understanding Through Personal Stories

Through the week’s lessons and conversations, students gained a deeper understanding of the events of Sept. 11 and their lasting impact on people and communities.

“We are deeply thankful to the parents, stakeholders, community members, family members and staff for sharing their memories of such a heartbreaking day in history and helping shape a truly impactful learning experience for our students,” said Sanford.