For the 2017 Teacher Awards Winners, the 9/11 Tribute Museum presents seven awards to teachers who have created exemplary projects that guide students to understand the historical and humanitarian impact of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.

 

Teacher: Todd Nussen
Grades: High School
School: Oceanside High School, Oceanside, New York
Principal: Geri DeCarlo

Mr. Nussen ends his tenth grade Global History and Geography class with lessons on global citizenship. He utilizes his personal account as an Emergency Medical Technician involved in the rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center, as well as the account of Zahraa Khan whose family lived under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and her experience as a young Muslim girl in New York City today. After several days exploring and learning about the effects of terrorism, student engage several citizenship projects including letter writing as a form of political activism, paying honor and tribute through creating a memorial “Field of Honor” and fundraising to purchase books for a school in Afghanistan.

Teacher: Stephanie Shamah
Grades: High School
School: Magen David Yeshivah Celia Esses High School, Brooklyn, New York
Principal: Saul Zucker
Foundation:

Over the years, Ms. Shamah has taken multiple approaches to teaching students about the events of September 11th. After attending a Teacher’s Workshop at the 9/11 Tribute Center she was inspired to shift the focus from the events of 9/11 to the people impacted by the tragic events. Students were required to interview three adults who lived through the events, as well as to research one of the victims of the terrorist attack. Students presented their findings to their peers, and then the class participated in a visit to the 9/11 Tribute Center and 9/11 Memorial. The students’ final project was a video compilation based on their personal reflections.

Teachers: Joseph Cataline, J.D. Walker & Linda Snapp
Grades: High School
School: Linden High School and Allen High School, Linden, New Jersey and Allen, Texas
Principal: Yelena Horre
Foundation:

Shortly after September 11, 2001 Ms. Snapp, Videoconferencing Coordinator for the Allen Independent School District in Texas contacted Mr. Cataline, Educational Technology Specialist for the Linden Public School in New Jersey expressing a desire for their high school students to videoconference. Students wanted to discuss the tragedy with peers in close proximity to New York City; to share emotions, questions and answers on how the events had affected daily life. Since then, these two schools have joined together electronically and through class trips to learn about, honor and remember those lost on September 11th. They have listened to Patti Hargrave, the widow of Timothy J. Hargrave, recount that horrific day in her life, visited the World Trade Center together and participated in an electronic memorial service. 


Teacher: Carissa Agron
Grades: Middle School (7th grade)
School: Archimedes Academy for Math, Science, and Technology, Bronx, New York
Principal: Miriam Lazar
Foundation:

Seventh Grade historians at Archimedes Academy explored the events of September 11th, and through listening to oral histories made personal connections with those directly impacted by the tragedy. Ms. Agron and her class visited the 9/11 Tribute Center and heard firsthand accounts of those directly affected by the events of that fateful day. Students explored the impact and importance of oral histories and then engaged in writing letters to those affected to honor and pay tribute for the loss and sacrifices that were made. Throughout the lesson they also explored the concept of citizenship and personal civic responsibility.

Teachers: Stephen Shedden & Michael Weininger
Grades: Middle School (8th grade)
School: Bearden Middle School
Knoxville, Tennessee
Principal: Sonya Winstead
Foundation:

Mr. Weininger’s eighth grade class analyzed the events of September 11th utilizing multiple modalities, including oral history, still photography and journalistic interviews. After hearing retired NYPD officer and school staff member Stephen Shedden’s personal September 11th narrative, the students were encouraged to form a deeper understanding of the horrendous tragedy that occurred, and they were empowered to become keepers of the history of that day. Students showcased their understanding and connection to the events by utilizing modern technology to create short videos comparing and contrasting the areas impacted in order to educate others about the events of September 11th, 2001, and sharing these videos with the larger school community at Bearden Middle School.

Teacher: Matthew Guritz
Grades: High School
School: Hinsdale South High School, Darien, Illinois
Principal: Stephanie Palmer
Foundation:

Mr. Guritz’s personal connection to the tragic events of September 11th  provides the groundwork for a powerful and effective lesson plan on both the individual and global effects of terrorism. The lesson plan is highly successful in reaching students and providing both an emotional and an intellectual connection to the cause, effect, and immediate impact of the 9-11 attacks. In his lesson, Mr. Guritz shares with his students his reflections and memories of a close personal friend, Ann Nelson who was working in the World Trade Center on the fateful day. After her death, a “bucket list” of her future goals and dreams was found on her computer. Using this list, Mr. Guritz has his students reflect on their future hopes and dreams and what they would like to accomplish. Students were asked to produce two summative projects which allowed them to make both a personal and a global citizenship connection to the sacrifices made by those lost that day.

Teacher: J.P. Fugler
Grades: High School
School: Lindale High School, Lindale, Texas
Principal: Valerie Payne
Foundation:

Using the events surrounding September 11th as a case study, over the course of three days Mr. Fugler and his students explored the role of communication in shaping how our country experiences and processes history as it is happening. Using President Bush’s 9/11 Address to the Nation, Mr. Fugler’s students crafted their own executive consolation speech and in doing so gained empathy for national leaders without partisanship in mind. In direct juxtaposition to the concept of consolation, students also analyzed how humor is sometimes used to help cope with tragedy. Students explored firsthand how our country’s biggest comedic voices helped to heal a nation as they navigated the world of comedy after one of the most tragic days in American history.

For the 2016 Teacher Awards Winners, the 9/11 Tribute Museum presents nine awards to teachers who have created exemplary projects that guide students to understand the historical and humanitarian impact of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.

 

Teacher: Marilyn Byrd
Grades: 9th – 12th
School: Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School; Bronx, New York
Principal: Jeff Palladino
Foundation: The Christopher Slattery 9/11 Memorial Foundation

As 9/11 transitioned from current event to history, teaching students to think like historians and be able to understand complexities has become vital. Eyewitness accounts are essential to understanding truth in history and developing citizens who will shape the future. In collaboration with Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program, Ms. Byrd created ten lesson plans and piloted them with her students (the lesson plans are available to other teachers). Students analyzed key speeches, the Patriot Act, the Zadroga Bill and the impact of terrorism internationally. Students were required to take a stand and evaluate their own ideas and opinions, while using evidence to back up their arguments. The lessons raise questions about the nature of human resilience, retribution, guilt, hopelessness, camaraderie and tenacity.

Teacher: Kimberley Madalena, Amy Morillo & Sharon Catrambone
Grade: 8th
School: Washington Middle School; Harrison, New Jersey
Principal: Michael Landy
Foundation: The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund

Inspired by 911day.org, these 8th grade students, with guidance from their language arts teachers, researched people they considered real-life heroes and wrote to them. Copies of their letters to local members of the military, firefighters, police officers, public health officials, social workers and teachers were mounted, in addition to photos, quotes and artwork, to become the “Hallway of Heroes.” The project took on greater momentum when the students invited their heroes to their school. On September 18th, 32 heroes arrived for a full day presentation. Students scheduled each speaker and created a catered “greenroom” with homemade foods. One of the heroes included a waterfront restaurant manager who comforted survivors arriving to New Jersey on 9/11.

Teacher: Kevin Johnson
Grade: 8th
School: Lynnville-Sully Community School District; Sully, Iowa
Principal: Teri Bowlin
Foundation: The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust

Students in Iowa learned more about their country and how we are all impacted by events in our nation. Language arts teacher Mr. Johnson asked students to describe leadership and character. By interviewing their family members, other locals and sending letters to leaders across the county, students collected first-hand accounts to make their own connections about 9/11, and how people can unify a community/nation. Students continued to gather information from six skype interviews with: Drew Gallagher, ESPN Producer of “The Man in the Red Bandana,” Alison Crowther, retired Boston Fire Chief Peter Lamb, as well as teachers and students in Boston and the New York area. Student led interviews followed with additional research and writing projects.

Teacher: Stefanie Woods
Grade: 11th
School: Bayonne High School; Bayonne, New Jersey
Principal: Richard Baccarella
Foundation: The Brooke Jackman Foundation

Current students were infants when 9/11 occurred and have no recollection of the attacks. But many of their teachers were deeply and personally affected, as was Mrs. Woods. As a language arts teacher, she asked her students to create a “found” poem, inspired by the story of the Survivor Tree. Students were provided with a resource of headlines from 50 newspapers, creating a poetry project entitled a “headline poem” as part of the Common Core standard for poetry. Students were asked to re-arrange chosen words into a 14-line poem, which helped them make connections to the texts and people’s individual narratives surrounding the events of 9/11.

Teacher: James Burns & Scott Cotton
Grades: 11th – 12th
School: Global Online Academy; Seattle, Washington
Principal: Eric Hudson
Foundation: The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund

Mr. Burns and Mr. Cotton co-created a 14 week online course that puts 9/11 into a global context. Students explore the causes of 9/11, the events and outcomes reflecting on terrorism, political Islam, ISIS and more. The unique aspect of this approach is that students examine each from multiple perspectives ending with an analysis of our current world. Students in schools around the nation and world interact with this online curriculum and with each other. They not only evaluate the historic content, but evaluate the lens and perspective that each document and assigned material portrays. The materials, analysis and inter-school online dialogue generates a greater understanding of their own world view.

Teacher: Ms. Preciado & Mrs. Mallay
Grades: 6th – 8th
School: Our Lady of the Snows School; Floral Park, New York
Principal: Joseph Venticinque
Foundation: The Terence D. Gazzani 9/11 Scholarship Fund

Many of the parents in this school lived through the terrorist attacks of 9/11 so a central goal was to help the children comprehend their families’ experiences. This afterschool program met once a week for several months. Lessons focused on the architecture of the Twin Towers, advancements in forensics and first responders. Critical thinking skills were encouraged, stimulating high-level dialogue. Students also tapped into their personal connections to learn more about the attacks. Their written reports, PowerPoint presentations, a book, media productions and models were showcased to the school at a 9/11 presentation. A wall mural is now on permanent display in the school’s library.

Teacher: Christopher C. Murray IV
Grades: 11th – 12th
School: Walter Johnson High School; Bethesda, Maryland
Principal: Jennifer Baker
Foundation: The Greg Richards, Larry Polatsch, Scott Weingard (GLS)
Memorial Foundation

In this class on World Religions, Mr. Murray looked at communities who follow minority religions in the U.S. In his unit on Islam, he focused on 3 themes — Islam the religion, Islamophobia and Islamic Extremism. His current students have no first-hand knowledge of 9/11, so he has them explore the roots of Al Qaeda, and follows up with a look at the political culture of countries in the Middle East that support extremist groups today. He brings in academic experts to discuss each of his main themes and shows the class documentaries that have been created to illuminate these issues. Mr. Murray’s goal is to have his students know how to dig beyond superficial ideas conveyed in the news media.

Teacher: Richard Feldman
Grade: 6th
School: C.S. 211; Bronx, New York
Headmaster: Tanya Drummond
Foundation: The Family of Firefighter Michael D. Mullan

Sixth graders were engaged in a project of memorialization and remembrance. Over 10 lessons and several months, the children’s culminating project was to create memorials to 9/11. Beginning with many books and articles, students wrote about their heroes and interviewed two guest speakers, a firefighter and a family member. Activities included planting roses in their school garden and building a memorial bench dedicated to community members involved in 9/11. After visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the 9/11 Tribute Center, students created a mural for the school, contributing pictures representing something they had learned. Connecting children to their fears and natural curiosity about 9/11 helped them think more deeply about the world they are living in.

Teacher: James Fagen
Grades: 11th – 12th
School: Manasquan High School; Manasquan, New Jersey
Principal: Rick Coppola
Foundation: The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund

Mr. Fagen uses September 11th to teach perspective, cultural differences and illustrate the impact that an event can have upon society. As a primary source, Mr. Fagen shared his personal experience on 9/11. Using the film “The Hamburg Cell” and the book “Securing Liberty”, the class analyzed how terrorists justify their actions. This led to many class periods devoted to discussion and debate including combating terrorism, preventive detention and cybersecurity. A Homeland Security officer from Ground Zero also visited the school. Common Core alignments were thoughtfully presented. The project goal, to define terrorism, included contrasting events such as Columbine and the historic Boston Tea Party. Students then wrote compelling papers summarizing what they learned.