Milford Teacher Wins 9/11 Tribute Center Award

Milford teacher Rachel Rowley will be travelling next week to New York City to receive a Certificate of Merit at the 6th Annual September 11th Teacher Awards at the 9/11 Tribute Center in lower Manhattan. 

The 9/11 Tribute Center will present awards and gifts to eight schools and teachers from across the country who have created exemplary educational projects that help students understand the impact of September 11, 2001.

In Milford, Mrs. Rowley spearheaded the creation of a new social studies curriculum addressing the events of 9/11 with a team of teachers, districtwide. 

The new curriculum incorporated oral histories, technology, and presentations to students in grades 6-12.  The goal of the instructional content was to highlight the historical significance of 9/11 and dissolve stereotypes through enlightened education.

The curriculum will be built upon from one year to the next, creating a living historical account of the events that occurred on September 11th and the impact they have on our world today and into the future.

The new 9/11 curriculum includes classroom discussions, as well as the coordination of special events with outside presenters.  For example, students at Harborside Middle School visited with Christopher York, who lived in lower Manhattan on the day of the tragic events.  Mr. York brought photographs and artifacts to reflect what it was like to be in New York City on September 11, 2001. 

Another event in the fall was held at the Parsons Auditorium with all 8th grade students in Milford in attendance.  Rowley and several teachers coordinated the program with the 9/11 Tribute Center, where students heard first-hand personal descriptions of that day from two presenters: Geri Travis and Bill Crawford.  Students were riveted to the presenters’ speeches and slides that were displayed.

Rowley is humbled by the award and is honored to be accepting it on behalf of the Milford school district.  "The 9/11 community in New York, especially at the Tribute Center is truly amazing.  They have helped us every step of the way, and I am humbled that the people who lost the most that fateful day are the ones who continue to give the most.  I look forward to sharing our curriculum with other districts; the teaching of 9/11 is essential in our classrooms today and in the future."