Teaching 9/11 to new generation: Educators in Stillman Valley keep history alive

STILLMAN VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO) — Educators and first responders in Stillman Valley are working to ensure the events of September 11, 2001, remain a vivid part of history for younger generations.

Fire Chief Chad Hoefle and teacher Scott Clark emphasize the importance of teaching not only the events of 9/11 but also the resilience and unity that followed.

“Just like the memories and just like the stories that people that lived in that, were around when 9/11 happened, those stories, if they’re not told, they go away,” said Fire Chief Chad Hoefle.

“The lesson that 911 taught us is that it was something awful that happened, but it united the country,” said Scott Clark, a teacher at Stone Creek Elementary School.

Inside the Stillman Valley Fire Protection District, a steel beam from the North Tower serves as a tangible piece of 9/11 history. This beam is displayed annually on September 11th to educate children about the significance of the day.

Hoefle uses the steel beam to help children understand the impact of 9/11, stating that physical objects like the beam help bring history to life for younger generations.

Scott Clark, who teaches at Stone Creek Elementary School, encounters students who have many questions about 9/11. He aims to teach them that while the events were tragic, they also brought about a sense of unity and resilience among Americans.

By sharing stories and physical reminders of 9/11, educators and first responders hope to keep the memory and lessons of the day alive for future generations.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.