The New York Way

[Stephen Torelli]

“Pull down the shade and don’t allow the students to gaze outside the window, and turn the radio off!” Panic stricken, the principal raced through the room, made a complete circle and exited.

The students watched and absorbed the fear, but they also watched their teacher who reopened the shade and before she turned the radio back on said, “Good, bad, or indifferent we are resilient and no matter what happens today we will pull through this.” The kids regained their composure as the teacher discussed the events, as she knew them.

The next few weeks as New Yorkers picked up the pieces, both the students who lost a loved one and those who barely knew someone learned to adjust gracefully, without panic, lawlessness, or despair. They felt they learned something and did it their way… the New York way. 

 

[Irma Bozardt]

Great six!  Great teacher!  It gives us hope and courage to see how others dealt with this horrific event.

[Kristine_ES]

better believe it!

[bolton carley]

i love this because i was that teacher here in the midwest in a military town with kids wondering if their parents made it out of the pentagon and a superintendent who thought we shouldn't talk about it and kids that needed to.  well said, stephen.

[Cita]

Great write.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

Beautifully written.  A horiffic day that none of us will forget.

[Bill Floyd]

I never visited the City until after 9/11, but I've been there several times since.  The people generally impress me with their drive, their humor, and their commitment.  The good seem to outnumber the bad, which may be more than we can say for the world at large.  Good writing, Stephen.