The Reflections & Renewal of UFT Members, Ten Years After

Courage The Reflections & & Strength Renewal of UFT Members, Ten Years after September 11

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 1 8/17/11 3:45 PM gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 2 8/17/11 3:45 PM UFT members work every day to make a difference in people’s lives. On September 11, 2001, in the face of horror and uncer- tainty, we were there to make Michael Mulgrew a crucial and, in many cases, a UFT President life-saving difference. Teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals and others led their charges out of danger, made sure students across the city were cared for while com- munication and transporta- tion systems were frozen, and calmed the fears of hundreds of thousands of other children. They set a shining example of courage and inspiration. This book is filled with a few of the many heartfelt stories that we have gathered from members about that horrendous day and its aftermath. They reflect the best in all of us.

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 1 8/17/11 3:45 PM We begin the lesson, a short FIRST story by Edgar Allen Poe. It is September 11, a Tuesday, 8:45 a.m., the sky MOMENTS is clear and blue, the air crisp and clean, a stellar September morning by all September 11, 2001 marked accounts. As we read on, I my third day of teaching in a stand at my desk, textbook public school. In the beginning in hand, every now and then days of school, there were many stealing a glance at the blue announcements being made sky through a set of four, over the intercom reminding six foot high windows; just teachers to begin their lessons, beyond these windows can to bring down attendance, be seen downtown Brooklyn and to say goodbye to parents and the Manhattan skyline. who were still lingering; each A student who has been announcement was more reading aloud comes to the distracting for me than the end of the quote, and with previous, none of which I heard that, another student, Debra, because I was battling with shoots up her hand. my kindergartners for quiet. “Debra?” So when the school secretary I wait for my student to came into my room at 9:15 to make some astute comment see if I wanted to call my family, concerning the reading, but I was, of course, confused. am puzzled by her reaction. “Why? Did something happen?” From her seat, Debra “Aren’t you listening to the turns her gaze toward the announcements?” windows, sets her sights on I wasn’t. something far beyond our “A plane has hit the World classroom and then, finally Trade Center.” breaking the silence, politely Frozen in disbelief, I was cer- asks, “Is that the World Trade tain Alice was mistaken, that Center on fire?” she had just heard incorrectly. I walk over to the window, Instead she insisted that it was and suddenly my eyes are true and asked me if I’d like to caught by the sight of what go to the corner of our street to appears to be flames coming see for myself. Our corner gave out of the top floors of one way to a once perfect view of of the Towers. I turn back to the majestic buildings. face the class, but most of So I left my classroom with the students are already out another teacher to see for my- of their seats, having made self that the buildings were, in a beeline for the windows. fact, aflame. They were. And I Quite suddenly we are all called my family. standing there looking In the hour that followed, out through those large students were dismissed one- classroom windows, bearing by-one with their moms and witness to what is happening dads and caregivers, until that before us. last child fell prey to the days For a moment there is an that lay ahead, days that they eerie silence in the room, would likely not understand nor then one of my students cuts would they soon forget. through the silence, points to Later that morning, I returned the tower just across the East to the corner to see what had River, the tower whose flames transpired outside my con- keeps growing even higher, fusing world at 116 West 11th and says out loud in a matter- Street. There, I saw hundreds of-fact voice, to all of us, to of New Yorkers lined up to give none of us in particular: “My blood at St. Vincent’s Hospital. mother is in there.” And I saw parents, children and passers-by standing tearful and Phyllis Witte motionless. The Twin Towers were gone.

Nancy S. Wahl

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 2 8/17/11 3:45 PM I was presenting a library ori- My third graders were working on entation lesson to a 2nd grade a writing project when the classroom class, when another teacher phone rang. The office said to pack up one of my students because she came in and asked me to turn was going home. I no sooner got her on the TV because “some- packed up when the phone rang again thing terrible was happening and two more students were going in Manhattan.” I turned on the home. I asked the office why were all TV and turned it away from the these students leaving. “Oh I guess no class and watched the horrible one came to your classroom. We will events out of the corner of my send someone up.” eye while giving a cheerful les- Georgia appeared at my door and said, “We aren’t sure what is going son to the children, as other on but a plane has hit the World teachers came in. Trade Center. Go to my office. You Of course we all thought it can see it from my window.” Smoke was an accident at first and was streaming up hundreds of feet in then we saw the second plane. the air. I thought of all the class trips We remembered that we would I had taken to the top of the World be able to see the towers Trade Center and feared for those who were trapped on the top floors. from the library window and Who knew that it would be the last watched in horror as the sec- time I would see the towers grace the ond plane struck; we saw it in New York skyline? a kind of double vision from the I kept the students on task and window and on TV. tried to stay calm. Georgia said that I By then the children were needed to find out if any student had aware that something was hap- a parent who works in Manhattan, but pening and asked what was not tell them yet what is going on. I announced to the class that wrong. Since we really didn’t we were going to switch to Math. know the ramifications at that “Children, just a few days ago we point, we said there was a very learned how to take a survey and bad fire in Manhattan. record it on a tally table. Mrs. Rocco It was after the children re- said that she thinks more of our turned to their classroom with parents work in Manhattan. I think their teacher that we heard more of our parents work in Queens. about the Pentagon, the crash Let’s take a tally and see who is right!” I proceeded to mark their in Pennsylvania, and saw the replies on a chart and put a check towers collapse. on a class list circling the names The rest of the day was of students who said their parents tense. Several staff members worked in Manhattan. One student had family who worked in the proudly said his Mom’s office is in towers and we waited in fear the biggest building in Manhattan until we heard that they were but didn’t know if it was the towers or the Empire State building. I put a safe. (Later we would find out red star next to his name and prayed that several staff members for her safety. had lost friends, or the sons of Students left one by one. The friends.) The office staff were children who were not picked up were fielding phone calls from fran- sent to the library. When I opened tic parents needing to be reas- the door to the room I saw the smoky sured that their children were view and quickly pulled the shades. safe, and of course many par- My mind was racing. “How am I going to keep them safe? What if they ents came to school to take attack other parts of the city? I need their children home. We had to to keep them away from the windows. firmly insist that they behave What do I tell them? Should we go calmly so as to not frighten the to the basement where the walls children. are thicker? How will I comfort the The principal and any teach- children if they lose a loved one?” ers that could, would stay until I can see it all, relive it all. every child was picked up. The Patricia Schulze last child was accounted for at approximately 6 p.m. with many tales of escape on foot from lower Manhattan and long travel delays.

Joan Malewitz 3

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 3 8/17/11 3:45 PM ESCAPE

We came out on Thames Street walked about a block, I felt that and made the right towards she was okay so I proceeded Greenwich Street. When we very gently to peel her arm got to the corner and looked from my shoulder, and I let go up, we were almost under the of her waist. We had barely let World Trade Center. go of each other when I met up There were people every- with a student from one of my where; so it was difficult to classes. Classes had only met keep the children in check, but four times for the term, but I as we walked we just contin- recognized her. She too was ued to move along, sweeping panicking and starting to cry. I with us any children that we stopped to calm her, while the encountered. Leadership High other teacher moved on. School, our sister school, is I told the student that she right across the street from was not to worry that every- us, and they evacuated at the thing was going to be all right. same time we did. I put my arms around her, and Some of the students we met I told her that she was not go- were from Leadership; some ing to get hurt. She looked up at were from our school. We did me, smiled, and said “okay.” No not care; we just moved them sooner than I had uttered those along. We got to the entry of reassuring words, we heard Battery Park and then won- this eerie sound. It sounded like dered what next. But the sight thousands of nails falling down of the towers in flames and in a pile. I looked up and saw filled with smoke was so men- the South Tower come tum- acing, instinctively we knew bling down, and with its demise that we just had to keep moving came a humongous mushroom away from the site. of dust and debris hurtling itself On my way, I encountered towards us. a teacher who had just started I tried to remain calm. I at our school the week before, turned to the student and told when school opened. She was her that we needed to run. As very agitated. She told me that we ran towards the Staten Is- she could not keep her group to- land ferry, I kept looking back, gether, that they were scattering and all I could see was that everywhere. I tried to calm her. mushroom of stuff gaining on About five minutes later I us. I had just promised this encountered another teacher young lady that she would be who was having a panic at- all right, so I felt a great deal tack. I gave her some reas- of responsibility to protect her. suring words, calmed her, and At this point, with every one proceeded to walk with her. I fleeing and not knowing what had my arm around her waist, would happen next, I felt that I and she put her arm around my might die, but I was going to do shoulder. She felt better pretty my best to protect my student. quickly, smiled and thanked me for helping her. After we Catherine Heron

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 4 8/17/11 3:45 PM I was a science teacher at before this happened. Many the High School for Lead- teachers spent time trying to ership and Public Service, create projects or come up located less than 500 yards with ideas to somehow help from the South Tower. I was empower kids who were just there on 9-11-01 and evacu- here for a short while and had ated kids to Battery Park. become victimized like that. When we got to street level, The first project we did the first thing everybody saw was to bring students back was how many people were to the very park we were on the street. There were evacuated to, less than three thousands of people on the months later, to plant tulip street. I was worried about bulbs donated from Holland. my kids, especially the ones We felt our freshmen were straggling so at that point we not even familiar with our knew we had to get these school (they had experienced kids out of here. In just a few only two school days prior) minutes, you really didn’t and we did not want them to know who was your student feel victimized. and who wasn’t. I had them The only way to do that at for only two days. first, we felt, was to bring We got as far as Rector them back to Battery Park to Street and I remember turn- plant flowers. Our students ing around to see how many soon learned that, rather students were back there and than feel like victims who how many were ahead of me. were helpless, they became We watched the top of the survivors who became south tower start to slide off empowered. Since that and then realized the building first planting, our school’s was actually coming down. Environmental Civics Club And that’s when we said to and Green Task Forces grew our kids, you can run, run as and have planted over a fast as you can and get to quarter of a million bulbs Battery Park. We were en- and flowers at Battery Park gulfed in the cloud and at that in the Bosque area and the point it was hard to know Gardens of Remembrance who was next to you; eventu- and several thousand across ally it got to the point were the street from our school you couldn’t even see your at Trinity Church Cemetery hand in front of your face. Gardens. We also worked on We were even taking socks the Tiles for America Project, off and putting them around which you can still see on people’s faces because of all the corner of 11th Street and the dust and everything that 7th Avenue. was coming down. The whole New York The experience propelled me community came together. I to create an environmental felt like over the next couple civics club...something that of weeks, you didn’t hear could help us improve the people talking about politics, health of the community near didn’t hear people talking our school. Our thoughts about divisiveness. There was were especially with our really a feeling that we have freshmen because this was to help each other, we have a new neighborhood for to come together. them and they were only here for two or three days Daniel Fielding

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 5 8/17/11 3:45 PM There isn’t a day that goes by from the building. The heat that I don’t think of “that day.” from the fire was so intense, 9/11 forever changed my life. we felt it from where we were. The morning was so beauti- We were told that many of the ful, a crisp September morning school buses would not be able with a sky as blue as a photo to make it to the school to pick backdrop. I arrived in my school up the children. building, Murry Bergtraum High I tried to make it to my car School around 7:45 a.m. It was with three students, hoping to just another school day with its drive them across the bridge, to usual programming concerns the Brooklyn side and a police and questions. I found myself in officer stopped me and told me the stairwell, between the 4th that all the bridges had been and 5th floors. I felt a rumbling in closed. I asked the officer since the stairwell and I lost my foot- the children were from Brook- ing and was knocked forward. lyn, could he possibly radio the As I exited the stairwell onto precinct on the Brooklyn side the 5th floor, I looked out of the and have squad cars prepared window and saw one of the to pick up the children and take World Trade Center towers on them home. I felt so helpless... fire, burning. I called the prin- then started walking... walk- cipal from the nearest office ing... walking across the Man- and asked her what was going hattan bridge. on. She said, “Bethann, the en- My thanks to all the kind peo- tire first floor and my office is ple who assisted us along the swarming with a police pres- way with the children. Many ence from One Police Plaza.” of the children had motorized The next thing I knew, the fire wheelchairs that lost power alarms sounded and I knew but, thanks to courageous New we had to get 35 physically Yorkers, we received so much challenged students out of the assistance. building safely. So many people were so As we exited the building, all very selfless and helpful and of the children were around us the children and I will be for- and we saw both towers burn- ever grateful to them. ing. We knew we had to move the children to safety, away Bethann Kramer

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 6 8/17/11 3:45 PM In August 2001, I began and watched people run as working as a temporary a huge black cloud slowly employee in the law approached our direction. department of the Port As it got even closer, the Authority of NY/NJ in the man turned to me and said North Tower on the 66th floor. “Now would be the time On Tuesday morning, to start running.” I started September 11, 2001, it was to run but the huge black a bright and sunny day. I cloud overcame me. Once I was trying to catch the train was caught in it, time stood when a woman stepped still. I could not see nor hear in front of me causing me anything. It was pitch black to miss the train. When I and there was dead silence. arrived at the last stop of the I started to use my arms and E train (World Trade Center), hands to feel my way in front I proceeded to head to the and at my sides. I was on the first set of elevators that I Brooklyn Bridge. One truck would normally take to get stopped and the driver told to my desk on the 66th floor. me to get in so he could take Once I got to the elevators, me to safety in downtown I heard a few people say Brooklyn. He picked up a few that the elevators were more people along the way. not working. Not knowing The driver handed me a rag what to do, I decided to go to use to clean myself. outside to call my office to I didn’t know what I looked see why the elevators were like when I arrived in not working. Things seemed downtown Brooklyn. Several calm as I passed through people stopped to stare, ask the stores in the basement, me questions and/or give but as I got closer to the me hugs. I was shown how escalator located near the I looked in the mirror and Borders bookstore, I saw I finally understood why. people running up and I was completely covered outside the building. from head to toe with When I came outside of the debris from the South the North Tower, I saw Tower collapse. I stopped people watching the building by a construction site where intently. I didn’t know why workers turned on a hydrant until I looked up and saw fire. for me to rinse the rag and I made it to Broadway and clean myself. They also gave Fulton Street right in front of me iced tea to clear my throat. the Chase bank. I realized Now began the journey that my cell phone wasn’t of finding my way home to working and decided to use the Bronx from Brooklyn. I a pay phone. Apparently, was on autopilot and could everyone had the same not think about what had problem and there were long happened. I just wanted to lines at the pay phones I had go home. seen nearby. As I look back, I am After I made my phone thankful for the woman calls, I learned that all trains who stepped in front of me and buses in the area were causing me to miss my train, shut down. At this point, the man who stopped me I was standing in front of from running once the South J&R computer store as many Tower collapsed, the man others and I watched both who brought me to safety in towers burning in horror. downtown Brooklyn, and the Then finally the South construction workers who Tower collapsed which sent gave me iced tea and turned everyone running. I was on the hydrant. That was about to run when a man divine intervention. grabbed me and said “Don’t run yet. You’ll get trampled over.” The man and I stood Ellen B. Manigault 7

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 7 8/17/11 3:45 PM CALM AND COLLECTED

By the time the second tower Parents were running was hit, parents were stream- into the building, crying, ing to the school to pick up their demanding to get their children. A command post was established in the principal’s children. We had to quickly office and two locations were organize ourselves, calm set up to sign out students; the parents, try not to alarm one in the library for elemen- tary students and another in the children and release the auditorium for I.S. students. children to parents in an All support staff stepped up. organized fashion. Instruction carried on as usual During all this we were as school aides gathered students from classrooms after shocked and had to remain emergency blue cards were composed. As always, New checked. There were no titles York City teachers placed that day, no distinction between administration and staff. the well-being of their We were just human beings students first. trying to do our jobs. Roberta Ann Afflitto Therese Boulanger

Everyone in school banded It was surreal to be teaching together to be sure that my regular lesson after what I had just seen. My thoughts our children were safe and were: protect them; they’re in well taken care of until a different world; be in their they could be picked up by world with them – one that’s happy, free and without a care. their parent or guardian. Parents arrived putting on Although everyone was brave faces for their children, frightened and worried some hiding tears of not know- about what would happen ing whether their Wall Street husbands and wives were safe. next, our faculty remained calm and focused on the Laurie Yorr children. I was very proud of my colleagues on 9/11. They showed true strength and courage when it was most needed. Their dedication to their students was evident when they placed the students’ needs first and did all they could to reassure and keep a sense of calm.

Phyllis Mifsud

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 8 8/17/11 3:45 PM It was Primary Day. I was leafleting But the most harrowing stories are near Brooklyn Borough Hall. Sud- those of the teachers and other educa- denly, we heard an explosion. We tors in the nine downtown Manhattan stopped campaigning and headed for schools that had to evacuate because the promenade. There the sight of one of their proximity to the World Trade of the towers burning stopped us cold. Center and the immediate and life- The rest of the day – I’ve never threatening danger from fireballs and spent so much time at 110 Livingston falling debris. Two high schools exited – was spent in a blur of meetings, their buildings just as the second phone calls and huddles, gather- tower collapsed. One teacher led his ing information on the state of the charges into a parking garage for schools, making tough decisions on protection from the tumbling girders. how to proceed, anxiously locating Others herded teenagers onto ferries family and friends, sighing each time to get away from the choking smoke, someone was safe, and crying each and one even hailed a tugboat! An- time someone was not. other, in true teacher fashion, had been As the towers collapsed, the mayor urging his students to walk, not run, understandably wanted to evacuate all as they calmly left their school. But the schools, send every child home he abandoned all his training when immediately. Chancellor Levy was he saw the ball of smoke and airborne ready to go along, but I strongly urged glass rolling toward them down the them to reconsider. How could we street. “Run,” he shouted. “Run as fast send the children into the streets, into as you can!” And they did. the unknown? What if they couldn’t I wish more people could hear the get home? What if no one was home? stories I’ve heard in the last few days. What if there were more attacks? There New Yorkers and Americans every- were all kinds of ‘what ifs,’ some too where, including me, have been sing- terrible to think about. Wouldn’t they ing the praises of the brave firefight- be safer in the schools? ers, police and other rescue workers Convinced, the chancellor ordered who saved lives, and perished, on the schools locked down. Together that awful day. Those men and women we developed a dismissal plan. deserve all the accolades we can give As evening approached, we needed them. But less heard and far less sung to make a decision about the next day. is the heroism of New York’s educa- Again understandably, the mayor’s tors. And what makes that resourceful- office pressed for a return to normalcy ness and bravery even more admirable as soon as possible. The schools is the fact that – unlike the police, fire should open, they argued. But again I and other emergency workers – you differed. And again the mayor listened. weren’t trained for what you had to do Families would be able to spend that day. Wednesday together, absorbing what From those who assured frightened had happened, explaining it to the children with the calmest certitude children, helping them feel safe in this that everything would be all right new, scary world. (despite their own fears that nothing It was not until later that I learned would ever be the same again) to of the miracles you had wrought, the those who led, carried and dragged extent of your professionalism, your countless youngsters to safer ground, dedication, your ingenuity and, yes, UFT members displayed the best of your heroism. what our profession stands for. At Across the city, teachers calmed P.S. 89 a teacher told me, “For us it’s nervous parents, reassured frightened not a job; it’s our life!” youngsters (some of whom had wit- Although you may never be the nessed the attacks and their aftermath recipient of medals or memorialized from their classroom windows), stayed in monuments, you have earned the late until children could be picked up appreciation of thousands of parents and even accompanied them home whose children arrived safely home when no one showed up. Some teach- that Tuesday afternoon. One kinder- ers took children to their own homes gartner summed it up for all those to stay until family members could kids. “How did you get out?” his retrieve them. Across the city, hun- mother worriedly inquired. Matter-of- dreds of high school students found factly, he replied, “The teacher held themselves stranded, unable to reach my hand.” home. Gymnasiums became temporary shelters, and teachers stayed the night, sleeping in shifts. Randi Weingarten

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 9 8/17/11 3:45 PM On that fateful day I was The fear on the children’s awakened by a phone call. At faces, the concern etched on the time I had just gotten my the teachers’ faces. All day bachelors degree in Produc- long we heard the sound of tion Management from Tisch sirens, fire engines, patrol School of the Arts at NYU. I was cars and ambulances, along still in the process of deciding if with the announcements I was going into television pro- over the public address duction, becoming a New York system of the names of the City Police Officer, or pursuing children lucky enough to a master’s degree in Education be going home with their so that I could become a teach- anxious parents. er. I was 22 years old. I also was How do you tell the little and still am a New York City ones? They knew something Auxiliary Police Officer. That was wrong. They knew January I had been promoted their classmates were going to the rank of Sergeant. home. We hugged them and I was awakened by a phone assured them that we were call. One of my officers called there for them. We kept me and in a panicked voice them busy (with) math and told me “Sarge, Sarge, turn on writing and singing. It was the TV.” well past dismissal time but I flagged down a taxi and af- we were not to leave the ter some convincing that I was building until each child not going all the way down- was picked up. With only town, took me to my command. one child left, an 8th grader, I was working out of the 13th and no way for her mother Precinct at the time. to reach us, I volunteered to As we stepped out of the sta- drive her home. tion house the first tower fell. That brutal act of terrorism Everyone was mobilized. It was accomplished one thing for a very hectic day. We helped us. It made our students to turn around all traffic so that grow up. A big shock like even 2nd Avenue became an that makes you realize how uptown street. By the end of valuable life is and how the day most of lower Manhat- inconsequential some of the tan was emptied out. It was like little problems you have are. a ghost town as you got further What had amazed me downtown. They needed help was the feeling of kinship escorting out-of-town iron work- among us. Students in one ers to the site. We knew where class alone came from all we had to go so we took our po- over the world including lice car and went downtown. Puerto Rico, Cuba, the I would later attend 19 funer- Dominican Republic, Yemen, als for friends, people I knew, Brazil, Guinea, Haiti, China, and strangers who wore a Taiwan, Trinidad, Ecuador, uniform similar to me and who Guyana, Italy, Spain, were in that way related to me. Guatemala, Chile, Antigua, Those are my memories of Germany and Croatia. that day. I teach it to my stu- That day we were all dents each and every year united. We stood together and will until the day I die. My because first and foremost friends are gone but they will we were proud to be never, ever be forgotten. Americans!

Seth Gilman Norka M. Freyre Garcia

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 10 8/17/11 3:45 PM I will always be very proud At around 11a.m., nurses of everyone who was working at the Visiting Nurse Service office at 1250 Broadway at P.S. 128 that day on 9/11. It were asked to volunteer showed the true character of to help staff triage centers down at the World Trade those who went into teaching Center. Michael Soccio, an and stayed in it with a true com- RN, immediately volunteered. mitment to the children and the Michael, who travels around the city by bicycle, was able broader community. to get down to the World Many of us are still asked Trade Center within minutes. He just flew down Second where we were on that day in Avenue on his bike. And September, on that day when helped set up a triage unit at so many perished. Duane and Lafayette. For the next two hours, There were students who Michael and the other had lost family members. There medical personnel at the were staff who had friends that triage unit waited for the victims to be brought in – but had vanished. Grief workshops none arrived. followed the days and weeks At around 1 p.m., a police officer came over to the after the initial shock. triage unit and told everyone As time passed, we found that they were going to start out even more about how many receiving victims. “You’re going to have a long night in of our students were affected front of you,” said the police by this horrendous event. officer. But still no victims arrived. I wish all of it never hap- After about an hour, pened, but it did. However, I can Michael heard that they say with certainty, that when couldn’t get victims to them because crushed Police and I am asked where I was that Fire Department vehicles day, I will always be at peace were blocking the way. So knowing that I was in a place the triage unit was moved to Ground Zero. where courage and strength The doctors and nurse were prevailed. all given respiratory masks to put on. Then New York City Gail F. Burrows buses arrived to take them to Ground Zero. It was very frightening. The air was completely dark with thick smoke and there was destruction everywhere – blasted out building windows, demolished cars, debris in the streets, and thick grey silt on every surface imaginable. “It was like a war zone,” Michael said. The buses were about one block from the World Trade Center when they had to quickly back up – one of the World Trade Center buildings was about to collapse. Buses then brought Michael and other medical personnel to Stuyvesant High School, where Michael helped set up a triage center. He stayed there into the evening. At about 8 p.m., with still no civilian victims showing up, Michael, numb, frightened, and shocked by all he witnessed that day, left to go home.

Front Line Focus Special Issue 2001, “September 11 How VNSNY Responded”

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 11 8/17/11 3:45 PM LOSS & RENEWAL

September 11, 2001 start- I loved my common-law ed out as a beautiful day and husband very much. His it ended as the worst day of name was John Andreacchio. my life. I was a senior in high We all called him by his nick- school when word came that name “Jack” or as he pre- a plane went into the World ferred, “Jack E Blu.” He died Trade Center. As the day went in the World Trade Center on on rumors were going through 9/11. He worked at Fuji Bank the school and I couldn’t wait to on the 81st floor in Tower 2. go home. I was teaching my physical My father was a Battalion education class in my school, Chief, my mother a school sec- Erasmus Hall, at the time. An- retary, three brothers were fire- other teacher came to get me fighters, and one brother a Port to come to the phone. My son Authority police officer. My sis- Chris was calling to tell me the ter, Mary, is a special education WTC was hit with a plane. teacher. I ran out of the gym, down When I finally got home from the stairs and to the lot where school I found out that my father my car was parked. I miracu- was seriously hurt after being lously made it home. I guess in the collapse of both towers an angel was driving with me. and was brought to a hospital. My son arrived home shortly My brother Firefighter Joey P. after I did. My parents and Henry, 25 years old and work- family called me and said they ing at Ladder 21 in Manhattan, couldn’t get to me because the was missing. My other brothers Verrazano bridge was closed. were at Ground Zero looking for Friends and neighbors arrived Joey. My uncle found my father all day to join us to wait for at Columbia Presbyterian Hos- word from Jack. pital and when he was told Joey That word didn’t come until was missing he came home three weeks later when the in his hospital gown, seriously police came to his sister’s hurt and covered in debris. door. We found out later that Days went by and we received when the plane hit, Jack was no information regarding Joey. with his friend on the 70th It was the worst tragedy a fam- floor and the PA said all was ily could go through. We had a fine and they could return to memorial for Joey on October their offices. His friend and 5th, but he was never found. most of those there left at that My family and I had a lot of time and made it out alive. help from counselors since Sep- Jack couldn’t do that because tember 11 and when I graduated he was on his company’s from St. John’s University I went safety team and wanted to to Long Island University and make sure that the people received my master’s degree in on his floor were all evacu- guidance counseling. I am now ated before he left. Then the a guidance counselor at P.S. second plane hit. There were 249, the Caton School and I feel communications between that I am giving back for all the Jack and those from his com- help my family received. pany who were outside the building. He was trying to find Kathleen Henry-Amsterdam a way to evacuate the building but every exit way was blocked. He was still trying when the tower collapsed. My son lost his dearest friend, and I lost my love. We both suffered tremendously. Jack E Blu was a man who gave his life for his friends. You don’t get over that kind of man.

Francine Skye Morales Lentini

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 12 8/17/11 3:45 PM Someone from the office By noon, most students had came to the classroom door, been picked up, and our princi- and told me that the World pal told us to go home. Most of Trade Center was on fire, and us live on Long island, and we not to let the children look out kind of followed each other in the window. Knowing that my our cars, not getting very far, son Keith, a medic with New as the bridges were closed and York Hospital would be there, I parkways were clogged. was concerned, but not overly Our son, Keith was found 6 so at the time. I went on with months later, as was his partner. the first period lesson, and at But it was when I returned to the beginning of the second pe- school about 10 days later that riod, someone else came to the my experience was so won- door and asked if I needed to derful. I let my students know make a phone call. I went into by coming back to school that the library across the hall and I was still their teacher. They used the phone to call my son’s had been told what happened cell. I left a message. to my son and were full of ques- The TV was on in the library, tions. I told them they could and there was a group of staff ask me anything. They were watching. The first tower be- so gentle and kind to me! They gan to fall, and we were all hor- had been so worried, I learned, rified. I was more concerned, about me. There was not much but had to get back to class. If teaching done that day for me. there’s anything that can take I learned from them! They truly your mind off something trou- helped me those six months we bling you, it’s a class of (more waited. They needed me, but I than) 20 4th graders! So we needed them more! went on with the second period I know there are more excit- lesson. ing and braver things teachers As the morning went on, stu- did that day, but at P.S. 127, we dents began to be picked up by gave our students the assur- parents. The class started ask- ance and support they needing questions and I told them ed, then and for the days and there was a fire at the World months after. The UFT was won- Trade Center and some parents derful as well, letting me know came to get their children be- that there were other teachers cause they had left work. We like me, and giving me support. talked about fire safety, and what people could do to get out of the buildings. Diane Fairben

My sister-in-law Susan Ann Ruggiero died in the towers on 9/11 (96th fl). I went to look for her on 9/12. My family and hers never cried so much or so hard. We expected to sort through injured victims to find her. There were none. This was very hard to understand. We went from Hospital to hospital looking for her. The Red Cross was amazing, so caring, so compassionate. My sister, her father, brother and I did not want to go home. It meant telling my brother that we didn’t find her. Through DNA, her remains were found in November of 2001. She is buried in Holy Rude in a triangle for 9/11 victims. We never got over her loss, we only learn to live with it. We miss her daily.

Susan Nagy

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 13 8/17/11 3:45 PM MOVING FORWARD

A week earlier I had intro- ing, searching their souls as duced my students to writing they wrote and wrote. And a journal. Give details, I told what they wrote was amaz- them. Let readers see and ing: verses from The Psalms; feel what you describe. One the words of Spirituals; church student volunteered to read prayers; exhortations, and sim- aloud her first entry. She wrote ple words of comfort and hope. of a trip taken with her fam- Their words tumbled on to the ily to Connecticut. On the way pages; they must have known. her father had driven through In the days that followed, lower Manhattan to let the more students asked to read children see the Twin Towers their journals aloud, and they up close. The girl described continued to write about fam- deserted streets that almost ily and neighbors who were seemed ghostly on an early changed forever. One boy Sunday morning and she men- wrote how his mom had es- tioned the massive walls that caped, losing her shoes in the had seemed so small when effort and had reached home viewed from Brooklyn. She covered in dust and soot. Em- read this to the class on the bracing her, he too had gotten Friday before the Towers fell. the grime all over him as they Early on September 11, held each other weeping. A girl school administrators decided wrote about a favorite uncle not to tell the students about the who was still missing, and as catastrophe. Early too, parents the days passed there was less started coming to the school to hope in her voice. pick up their children. Now, as The author of “Family trip to my third period class took their Connecticut” re-read her old seats, I wondered how many entry. This time classmates knew. I instructed class moni- heard it through different ears. tors to distribute the journals. What followed was a discus- Normally, this would be the be- sion on primary sources in writ- ginning of five to seven minutes ing. The Twin Towers had ex- of free writing, but today was isted and now they were gone. different: I would chose the But the one student had seen topic. “Somewhere at this mo- them up close and had written ment there are people in great about them. At that moment I danger – hurting badly and in knew that all my students held pain. I would like you to write their own historical documents something to give them comfort that one day they could show to – a wish, a hope, a prayer.” their grandchildren. Without a murmur, students started writing – quietly think- Patrick J. McAvey

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 14 8/17/11 3:45 PM There was a family in my I was, at that time, the or- school with four daughters. I chestra director for I.S. 96. We then had the largest I.S. taught two of the girls. string program in the city. We When I found out that were scheduled to play at the the child I had was giving Dial-a-Teacher event at the Sheraton on October 20. All up basketball, her love for trips were cancelled following the Yankees, and all of the 9/11. Somehow, inexplicably, things she did with her dad, we were given a bus and on a because he had been killed crisp October Saturday morning headed for Manhattan. in the World Trade Center, I As we approached the Man- went over to visit her. hattan Bridge the bus was We sat on the steps of her stopped by a group of soldiers with rifles. The students were apartment and talked. I gave sobered by this, and became her a blank, hard covered very quiet. After a brief inspec- book and sat there and told tion we were allowed on to the her to draw a picture of the bridge. We started slowly over the Yankee emblem on the front. Manhattan Bridge. All eyes Then I told her to write all were on the still smoldering her thoughts, both good and ruins of the Towers. From the back of the bus I heard a lone bad, in this book to express voice begin to sing the Star her emotions. Spangled Banner. That voice The next day I got a call was joined by another, and from her mom telling me another until the whole bus re- sounded with the singing of the her older sister wished she national anthem. These were had one, too. I immediately students of every hue, whose dropped off a notebook for families came from every part of the globe. At that moment her, too. The family has they were all Americans. It was grown, the girls and mom truly inspiring. are good. Counseling, peer I felt proud and privileged to groups and love has helped be with them. I know that none of us will ever forget those few this family to move on. Not minutes on the bridge. a day goes by without those memories, and their love for Kenneth Kushel the Yankees continues.

Debbie Braunstein

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 15 8/17/11 3:45 PM I have been a teacher for NEW only six years, but 9/11 was pivotal in making me one. BEGINNINGS I was nine months pregnant. I was working at an insurance company, and I was not yet teaching on on that day, I decided I had 9/11...but it is how I found my way to teaching. I was a Broad- to do something that was way and touring company more important than getting manager for shows. As I drove agent’s fees paid. down the west side highway That is the day I decided to to rehearsal I saw the planes hit the World Trade Center and get my master’s degree and heard the event unfold on the become a teacher, and I have radio as I was watching it live never been unhappy about from my car. We attempted to carry on that decision. rehearsing when news of the towers falling and missing Laurel Weber planes came to us. After con- sideration the company sent us home for the day. We returned the next day to what looked like a deserted Times Square. I was told that the show was ready and I needn’t come back. After 19 months of unemploy- ment, because no one knew how the economy would play out at that time, I attended a job fair. There I met a recruiter for the New York Teaching Fel- lows. I filled out an application and was accepted. 9/11 literally changed my life. They say that out of every tragedy comes a miracle. For me the miracle was being led to a place where I could touch the lives of children and their families and their lives certainly touch mine. Every year I pray that this will be the year my kids will know peace and that we move forward, always remembering how one day can change so many lives.

Lynn Manuell

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 16 8/17/11 3:45 PM We made it a class project LENDING to do “something” that would help. I allowed the class to discuss ideas with each A HAND other, and find a way that we could raise money for the families of firefighters I was part of a group of UFT who had perished in the Teacher Center colleagues who attack. My class voted for opened and categorized the out- “freedom bracelets,” which pourings of gifts and supporting they made from red, white messages from students from and blue beads, and sold in all over the country, who had the cafeteria during lunch sent books, original drawings, periods. They sold over two lovely, sensitive letters, etc. for hundred bracelets, and we the school children of New York. were able to get Newsday I was in tears most of the time and another corporation to as I opened boxes filled with each match our donation. the compassion, understanding, Not only did the students do and solidarity of those students, something to help (at a time and it was supremely gratifying when we all felt helpless), to repack and direct the offer- but it served as a bonding ings to many schools, so that experience for all of us — our students could experience years later, I can honestly the love and caring coming from say that year’s class was the children across the nation. most tight-knit community of Despite the stunning shock learners that I have ever had and devastation of 9/11, it was the opportunity to teach. genuinely uplifting and reaf- I will never forget the firming to be part of the process tragedy we faced that day, of “emotional reconstruction” but I choose to remember from a humane and supportive the closeness and sense national community. As unfor- of community that resulted gettable as the horrors of 9/11 among my students and the were, the memory of those many school community as a whole. thousands of gifts and messages is the counterbalance that Jennifer L. Semlies reminds me of our common, and essentially good, humanity.

Jonathan Molofsky We collected food, water, gloves, sterile eye drops, bandages etc. for relief sites (around the city). Since my In the days that followed, my daughter and I worked at leadership students collected the Staten Island Richmond $5,000 and donated the money Stadium center every day to a city fund. and night after school, I We also set up bulletin boards would bring back lists of with pictures and news articles items needed and let the about the event. A separate students know of the general board was available for anyone events taking place and how to write down personal notes. much their donations were We later discovered the appreciated. names of several former stu- I described the meals we dents and relatives of current made for the police and students who died on that day. firemen who were being We held a moment of silence ferried from Ground Zero to honor all the victims and to the stadium for food and their families. American flags basic medical treatment. were displayed everywhere. It I also explained how food was a time to come together as and necessary items were one family. transported to Staten Island. Students were interested in Jeffrey Litman knowing what was being done. I think it was cathartic for them to be able to do something to help rather than feeling helpless.

Laura Lowrie

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 17 8/17/11 3:45 PM REFLECTIONS New York Nightmare Beautiful skyline, sunny day Everyone scurrying on their way AND HOPE Twin Towers standing tall and erect Representing much of what we respect.

I could not be prouder Sudden aircraft changes the scene Like a tornado swift and mean of the grace, calm, Setting the Towers all ablaze unity, decisiveness, Leaving behind debris and haze. and courage shown by Thousands of people saw their end our administrative and Thousands mourn family and friend mental health staff that As the Towers continued to fall day and the days and The future seemed dim to us all. weeks that followed. America caught by terrorists’ rage Pamela Behrman Another chapter in our page Of survival and tested strength To overcome at any length.

A time for God, a time to pray To see us through another day Hope and the Ultimate Power Can protect us in this hour.

Mary Dixon Lake

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 18 8/17/11 3:45 PM I wish that day had 9/11 never occurred, but We watched them rise block upon block of glass the beauty of a nation and steel into long bands of light standing together in the name of peace is how transforming the silhouette of New York I will remember that with their triumphant brilliance of height

dreadful day. filling quickly with a babble of languages of trade, windows on the world, a symbol, a target Pilar Wilkins on an ordinary September day decades later when the phone rings: “Turn on your TV! A jet’s hit I literally saw the one of the twin towers!” My friend and I breathe students age that day. together in horror as a second plane They saw history unfold before their eyes and flies into the north tower leaving its outline for a moment learned that it is real. like a cartoon creature crashing through a wall.

Kelly Woodward But this is real. Real. Within a shroud of smoke the towers crumble and sink where moments before I pray every day that firefighters marched up to their falling deaths the youngest of this passing the lucky single-filing down generation will be spared the trauma and into air opaque with debris, ash and screams. enjoy the beautiful life What was left was a hole of loss so deep and wide that this country offers. we couldn’t believe it. We had to see it. Millions came to shuffle along the viewing Diane Kesten platform.

Then months of photographs and messages posted on fences, compiling of an official list of names of the dead and missing

that can never be complete, perhaps, without the real name of an illegal immigrant kitchen worker or a homeless man

hiding in the lobby or a lone tourist from another country who may be buried beneath tons of rubble in this

crematorium, a monument still. That day so seared us, we will remember always where we were when we heard

the news, who we were with, and that last message a doomed man left on a phone tape, “I’m just calling

to say I’m okay. But if I don’t get out of this, I want you to know that I love you.” If there is a lesson, it’s this.

Sarah Brown Weitzman

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 19 8/17/11 3:45 PM The wounds of that A Day Not To Be Forgotten horrible day in our city On September 11, 2011 terrorists have forever changed struck the city’s twin towers the skyline, but not our Who dared to do this, who thought spirit! they had the powers? Our incredible skyline of New York Cathy Eberle city will never be the same The senseless destruction, shows only steel and ashes remain.

Not only the twin towers, but also the Pentagon, So many people missing, so many lives gone. Policemen, firemen, rescue workers recover so very few Their efforts are endless, their losses unbearably true.

Pictures of loved ones, no one again will see This should not be happening in the land of the free. Tears flow freely, the strongest cry As the world watches and wonders, why?

Everyone talks, reaching out for each other Hugs for once a stranger – now our brother. New Yorkers are strong, as is our nation. We will rise through this crisis and through participation,

Defend our country and wave our flag proudly We are the United States of America and we’ll chant it loudly.

Rita Jones

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 20 8/17/11 3:45 PM I returned to work on Emotions September 13, 2001. I was never so grateful for work I looked up at the sky, peaceful and blue, and for the ability to lose All that would soon change, but no myself in work with inno- one knew. cent young children. Why – this senseless violence? What answers could Why – were innocent lives lost? we give them when ques- The evil ones spread terror, no matter what tions were asked? We the cost. met with counselors How could they believe any God and administrators be- would condone such a loss of life? fore students returned to How could their followers create this school and learned how act of strife? As terror filled our skies, best to deal with trauma- a sadness filled our lives, tized children and what and not to say as well as what from these actions of the worst to say. came reactions from our best, as they toiled, Children were not with no rest. allowed to play outside These heroes made us proud, for many days. After they within the gray, dust covered shroud were allowed to return and outside to play, one 1st as dark fell with the night, our hearts were filled with fright. grader told me that he Be strong for our children, did not want to go outside I heard someone say – to play “because of the So we all held hands and began to smoke” which he must pray. have seen so much of on The sky lit up with candles of hope as we all try to find a way to cope. television. Another 2nd Let’s all come together, grader gave me a huge to heal those still alive hug and told me she was For we are all Americans and we afraid of the “bad guys.” know how to survive! I hugged her back with Linda Fanelli tears in my eyes and knew that certain innocence would never return to this We all came together generation of children. as a family. This is one I honestly think this of the many times I was horrific attack has made proud to be a New York me a better person and a City teacher. better and more patriotic Ron Smith American. I’ve always loved my country but I love it in a different way now. I love it passionately. I cherish my freedom like never before.

Loretta Henke

gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 21 8/17/11 3:45 PM gh05510_9_11_booklet_B.indd 22 8/17/11 3:45 PM This book is dedicated to the members of the United Federation of Teachers, who never hesitate to go above and beyond the call of duty.

September 11th Commemoration Committee: Sandra March; Chairperson Dorothee Benz Ellie Engler June Feder Brian Gibbons Anne Goldman Alfred Gonzales Anthony Harmon David Hickey Donna Manganello Chris Proctor Sean Rotkowitz Beverly Torres

The committee would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance and contributions of the staff who helped make this production a reality: Brian Gibbons Margot Spindelman Oscar Rivera Dorothee Benz Cara Metz Rosita Burgos Terri Brown

Please visit www.uft.org to read extended versions of these and many more member stories.

52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 212-777-7500 www.uft.org

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