As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, teachers in Brooklyn are sharing their childhood memories of that day with students who were not yet born. These educators, who witnessed the events firsthand as children, are now tasked with conveying the lessons of 9/11 to a younger generation.
Kathleen Palladino, a nursery school teacher at St. Patrick Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, was a first-grader on September 11, 2001. She recalls seeing a "blackness" over Manhattan as she walked home from school with her mother. Today, she teaches 3-year-olds about empathy and support, focusing on simple acts of kindness rather than the graphic details of the attacks.
Kathy Curatolo, the principal of St. Patrick Catholic Academy, has a deeply personal connection to the day. She watched one of the World Trade Center towers collapse from her school's roof, unaware at the time that her younger brother, FDNY firefighter Robert Curatolo, was killed in the attack. Robert, a six-year veteran of the FDNY, was at the World Trade Center after his shift had ended. His sister learned he had helped direct people away from falling debris before the first tower fell. He survived that collapse but returned to the scene, eventually being caught in the second collapse while seeking shelter under a fire truck. Kathy emphasizes that her brother was more than just a hero; he was a funny, easygoing, and athletic young man who had recently married.
Elizabeth Giacchino, a fourth-grade teacher, was a sixth grader at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Brooklyn when her teacher announced that the Twin Towers had been hit. She remembers classmates crying because they had family members working in the city. Giacchino, whose mother worked at the school, stayed with her sister. She now strives to emulate the calm demeanor of her own teacher that day, prioritizing her students' well-being.
Nikki Fregara, a third-grade teacher at St. Patrick's, was a high school senior when her history teacher informed the class about the attacks on the Twin Towers. Seeing smoke from the school window and worrying about her father and sister, she experienced the fear and uncertainty of the day. Fregara now focuses on the bravery of first responders, teaching her students the importance of helping others and being an "everyday hero."
These educators acknowledge that for their students, 9/11 is a historical event. Curatolo noted that by the 10th anniversary, many students had no memory of the attacks. She shares stories of grounded planes and postponed events, but also highlights the increased kindness and community spirit that emerged in the aftermath. She tells her students that while remembering tragedy is important, it should not define life, emphasizing that survivors can lead fulfilling lives.
Kathy Curatolo continues to honor her brother's memory through a scholarship foundation and charitable work, reflecting on the enduring impact of 9/11 on those who experienced it and the importance of passing on its lessons to future generations.