Pennsylvania Teacher Developed 9/11 Classroom Lesson

A Knoch High School educator created new learning materials for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Secondary Education

Gouache-painted illustration of parchment papers on a dark wooden desk, evoking a quiet, contemplative academic environment for historical education. — Knoch High School teacher Lauren Lemmon has developed an interactive 9/11 lesson plan using personal biographies to teach historical significance to modern students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Knoch High School teacher Lauren Lemmon has implemented an interactive lesson plan designed to teach students about the September 11 attacks. The curriculum was developed during a specialized symposium at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Why it matters

As the number of students born after 2011 grows, educators are working to bridge the disconnect between the historical significance of the 2001 attacks and the experiences of modern youth. The project aims to personalize history through the biographies of those involved.

A total of 40 educators from across Pennsylvania participated in the curriculum-development symposium held at the Flight 93 National Memorial. This initiative supports the implementation of Act 25, which mandates a moment of silence and standardized instruction.

The players

Lauren Lemmon

She is a teacher at Knoch High School who created an interactive curriculum for the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

This state agency is tasked under Act 25 with the creation and implementation of a statewide 9/11 curriculum.

Flight 93 National Memorial

Located in Shanksville, this site serves as a memorial for the passengers and crew who died during the 2001 attacks.

The details

The lesson plan tasks students with reviewing biographies of real people who were present on September 11, 2001, requiring them to determine the eventual fate of those individuals. The development process involved firsthand testimony from the families of Flight 93 victims to ensure historical accuracy.

September 11, 2001: The terrorist attacks occurred in the United States.
2024: Act 25 was signed into law in Pennsylvania.
Summer 2026: Teachers participated in the Flight 93 symposium.
September 11, 2026: Teachers attended the 25th anniversary ceremonies.
2026-27: This period marks the current school year for freshmen.

Roadmap

This educational initiative follows the legislative mandate set by Pennsylvania Act 25, which requires schools to observe a moment of silence and provide curriculum on the 2001 attacks. By formalizing this history in state law, Pennsylvania is setting a new standard for ensuring future generations understand the 9/11 tragedy.

Students in Pennsylvania will encounter these new biographies as part of their standard classroom lessons throughout the 2026-27 school year. Parents can expect their children to engage more deeply with primary source materials regarding the events of 2001.

The takeaway

Engaging with personal biographies helps students build empathy and historical understanding regarding national tragedies. Educators can utilize these methods to help ensure that the memory of September 11 remains relevant for younger generations.