I still remember exactly where I was, what I did, and how I felt. Do you?  For some this day is forever etched in our memories and for others it is a tale that we've been told or heard about in school.  

It started as a normal day. Up at 5 am. Drive to school.  Do final prep for the class and move to door to greet my students.  Things were moving along.  Students were busy. We were all completely ignorant of what was taking place. We were tucked safely in our school in a small corner of Missouri.  

I heard a gasp in the hallway and walked to my door. I saw the principal talking to another teacher and she seemed upset.  I honestly didn't think anything about it at the time because she was frequently upset about something. I went back to minding my own business. 

A few minutes later, the principal knocked on my door and asked me to step into the hall.  He told me that two planes had just flown into the twin towers.  I looked at his face and waited. He was good at keeping a straight face while telling a joke.  I waited.  Finally I asked him for the punch line. He just stared at me. Then repeated his message.  I asked if he was serious and he said yes. 

 I was speechless, trying to fathom how this could happen. It seemed unreal. Impossible. Yet, when I turned on the television. There it was. The horror. The chaos. The pain. The courage. It was all real. Too real.  

My students and I sat at our desk. I was silently praying, as I'm sure many of my students were. I was numb. It didn't make sense.  It didn't seem possible. But I was watching this vile attack destroying so many lives and forever changing our nation.  My mind couldn't comprehend the evil that was unfolding.

The next few hours were a blur. I don't even remember driving home. I just couldn't get the images from my mind.  Though thousands of miles away, I could still feel their pain and confusion.  

On September 11, 2001 a nation grieved together and vowed never to forget.  I know I haven't. 

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com 

Read more »

Chocolate 4 Teachers

 I've learned a lot this year. To say that 2020 has been a good year would be a gigantic stretch of the imagination.  You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Well, I'm drenched.  And have been since February.  I feel like I'm on a skateboard rolling down a greased hill.    

And then there's COVID. 

As if life couldn't get more complicated, the pandemic hit. At first I thought the radio was joking about a toilet paper shortage. They weren't.  I thought rationing my toilet paper squares to 4 per use would be the extent to my inconvenience.  But I was wrong. 

Enter Distance Learning.  I could call it other names. But I won't.  You get the idea.  Somehow I kept my sanity during distance learning.  And being on call 24/7.  

Next came the hand sanitizer shortage.  I scrambled around to find what we had in various vehicles.  Made sure I used them after leaving the grocery store.  And still, things weren't quite sinking in.  Until the mask.  

Now, I'm a rebel at heart, but I'm also an oxymoron. I'm tenderhearted and a rule follower. Until I've had enough, then the rebel appears.  But aside from that, I tried to be a good citizen. I bought masks.  I wore masks.  And then that fateful day came when I took it off. Inside the store. I watched to see when they'd call security to have me removed from the premises. They didn't. I relaxed a little. But still my eyes were darting around, just waiting for someone to drag me out the door.  Then came the rebellion. I had that "just try to make me wear a mask" attitude.  Nothing happened. Everyone acted normal. Store associates still smiled at me and talked to me. I still practiced social distancing and sanitizing, but I felt like I had come out from behind a curtain.  And then I remembered... I wasn't wearing make-up. 

Typically I make sure I'm ready for the world when I go out. I don't want to scare people. But the most important thing I've learned about myself during this crazy time is that it's okay to step out without make-up. Now, I know I'm making light of a serious situation, but please spare me the lectures. We all need a laugh.  

Years ago a former student had challenged her friends to go without make-up and accept their natural beauty. She encouraged others to find their inner beauty and not be afraid to step out plain face. I thought she was brave. I admired her. But I didn't follow her advice. I still loaded on the cover-up before facing the public.  

Taking the mask off that day and realizing that people didn't stare at my face was eye-opening to me. I gained a confidence that I hadn't had in years.  I realized that beauty is certainly more than skin deep.  I realized that my student was right. We're all beautiful. In our own, unique ways. We are all special.  

I'm looking for a bright spot in this serious time. Something that I can learn. Something positive in all this negativity.  And this is it.  I can accept myself for who I am and be confident regardless of what others may think when they see me.  If they are looking at every flaw and fault then that's their problem. Not mine. Sure, I'll still want to cover up a blemish, but the wrinkles aren't going anywhere. I am who I am. And that's okay. 

Did you miss this post?  Click now to read it! 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, The Fun Factory, TheBeezyTeacher, A Plus Kids, The Monkey Market, Lockwood's Little Learners, Secondary Urban Legends, Mrs Hansens Helpfuls, Jackie Crews, Teaching Math and More, Julie's Learning Corner, Guide Teach Inspire, Pint Size Learners, Teachers Toolkit, The Cozy Crafty Classroom, Mrs Wenning's Classroom, Angelica's Resources, Ms. K, Mickey's Place, Chocolate 4 Teachers, It's a Teacher Thing, Mind Sparks, Heart 2 Heart Teaching, and  Teach Me T.  

 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 9/13/20 and is open worldwide

 

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Read more »

Chocolate 4 Teachers