I was a high school sophomore in French 2 when a senior came into the classroom and whispered something to the teacher. Seniors in study hall had been pulled out to deliver the message to the teachers. Our French teacher was an eccentric woman. Normally I enjoy eccentric people, but this one was rude to students who struggled to learn French. Luckily, I was at least adequate in the subject so did not incur her wrath, but I disliked how she treated others. After the senior whispered to her, the teacher pulled a face and said, loud enough for all of us to hear, "In the head?" The senior nodded. Later the principal came on the intercom and told us what had happened and that we should all go to our lockers, get our things, and go home. A few students had cars. Some others took the city's public buses. Most of us walked. I remember feeling like I was in a fog for the entire walk home.

As a teacher, I was on the other side of the desk when the Challenger shuttle exploded and when the World Trade Center was destroyed.