Commemorating Patriot Day
Patriot Day
September 11th 2021, we commemorate Patriot Day. This year, Patriot Day marks the 20th anniversary of the horrific September 11, 2001 attacks. American Board takes this day to honor the First Responders, Members of our Armed Forces, their families, and the extraordinarily brave everyday Americans we have lost over the last 20 years.
Given the recent withdraw of Troops from Afghanistan, Patriot Day feels particularly significant this year. That fact, combined with the landmark 20th anniversary, reminds us all to recall the true meaning of this day and prompts us to ask how we can best honor the day.
At American Board, we encourage every American to recognize Patriot Day as a time to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for those who fight to protect us and preserve our freedoms. The day also serves as an opportunity to consider how you can best give back to your community.
Make a Difference
Many Americans recognize Patriot Day with a day of service, donating their time and energy to benefit their local communities. The day of service can include simple acts of kindness such as sending a few hand-written cards to loved ones or holding the door for someone. Other people may choose to use the full day for service, cleaning litter from a local park or becoming CPR certified. If you’ve got children, you could have them help you bake treats for the local fire or police station.
But what if you strive for more? Patriot Day honors careers of service, First Responders and Members of our Armed Forces. People in these roles serve our great nation with exceptional bravery.
Other careers, however, also allow you to serve and give back to your community. For example, teachers play a huge role in their local communities. Teachers do more than classroom instruction. They coach athletic teams and lead after school groups for students. Teachers connect learning to the real world that students are experiencing. They provide meals, supplies, and support for students in need. Most importantly, teachers help shape the way that our children grow and learn.
Did You Know?
Students today, grades K-12, were not yet born at the time of the September 11th attacks. Consider what that means for these students. Although most older students are now familiar with the concept of the attacks, they didn’t experience the day. These students can’t recall the horror of the attacks on American soil, nor can they recall the unparalleled bravery of our First Responders. It is up to us to shine a light on the true history of that day and ensure every pupil understands that—more powerful than the attacks—the power of the American spirit is what we must take away from that day.
Give Back to Your Community – Become a Teacher
If you’ve ever considered becoming a teacher, this is the time to make that move. Students in your community deserve the very best. They deserve a chance to learn, grow, and blossom into the productive community members they are meant to be. It may sound cliche, but truly, now more than ever before students need active and informed mentors. They need to know opportunities in the United States are limitless, and with hard work they can achieve their dreams. To that end, your local school needs your help to ensure students have a chance to be the best they can be.
Earn your teacher certification so you can be a part of the solution and have the opportunity to do something positive every single day. It has never been easier to transition to a teaching career. You can now earn your state-approved teaching certificate, with no debt and no time off work. Furthermore, local schools are now hiring and in need of committed local community members who have the skills and knowledge to teach.
To learn how you can quickly and easily transition to a full-time career that allows you to give back to your community every single day, visit www.americanboard.org. Furthermore, if this blog post is striking a chord with you, consider becoming a history teacher.
