PALMETTO — The second-grade teacher who was with former President George W. Bush in her Sarasota classroom when he learned about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was honored at a commemorative program at the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa on Sept. 11.
“For the first time, I had to teach my second-grade students a vocabulary word I never imagined I’d have to teach them,” Kay Daniels said. “Terrorist.”
The Palmetto native was the host teacher at Emma E. Booker Elementary School for Bush’s visit that day. He was there to congratulate students for achieving the highest reading gains in the school district and to promote his No Child Left Behind reading initiative, she said.
Those gathered for the program to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. that killed nearly 3,000 people sat spellbound.
“That day began with great excitement and anticipation knowing that the president of the United States of America was coming to our school,” she said.
The classroom was full of students. The media was in the back of the classroom.
A side door opened and the president entered and began speaking with her students, she recalled.
Daniels began the lesson, then a man approached the president and whispered something in his ear.
“Instantly, President Bush’s mood and expression changed,” but she went on with the lesson, Daniels said. “The cameras were rolling. It was live.”
Then the media left.
A reporter yelled something she didn’t understand.
Daniels was taken into Bush’s office and looked at the TV monitor. It showed a building with smoke billowing out of it. She asked a Secret Service man what was happening, and he told her the building was in New York.
“President Bush came up to me and told me he needed to leave and I would be told why,” she said. “I whispered a prayer for him because I could see something was dreadfully wrong.”
Later, her students wanted to know why the president had to leave so quickly. By then she knew the truth.
“I always tell them the truth,” she said.
Bittersweet recognition
“President Bush called me on Wednesday and said, ‘Mrs. Daniels, you stood shoulder to shoulder with me during a tough time,’” she told the group, which included some of her former students, former teachers, family, friends, elected officials and community members.
The Manatee High School Color Guard presented the flag and St. Stephen’s Episcopal School musicians played the National Anthem at the program, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
Mrs. Mary Tillis, 92, Daniels’ third-grade teacher at Lincoln Memorial Elementary School in Palmetto, was there with her husband, Dr. Theodore Tillis, a former Manatee High School teacher.
“Ms. Daniels, you were America’s teacher that day,” said Palmetto Mayor Dan West, who presented her an American flag that flew over Palmetto during the America 250 celebration.
Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique read a proclamation honoring Daniels’ “commitment, compassion and perseverance” in continuing her lesson as Bush received the news about the terrorist attacks. The proclamation named Sept. 12, 2026, as Kay Daniels Day.
Dr. David Rancourt, vice president of advancement of New College of Florida, pointed out that Alan Jackson’s Sept. 11 song, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” mentioned teaching in a classroom. Rancourt announced that Daniels will be awarded the first degree in a new program at New College, the Masters of Education Leadership.
Manatee County Superintendent of Schools Lori Breslin presented a gift to Daniels.
And Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools Terry Connors said, “The students in our public school system today were not born in 2001… At Booker, our students have the opportunity to learn about Sept. 11 at the very place that became a part of that day’s history.”
Daniels was visibly moved.
“I don’t even know how to begin to thank you all for such a wonderful recognition. I am deeply, deeply thankful and I’m lost for words,” she said, starting to smile.
“Which is rare.”
Cindy Lane is a staff writer for the Tampa Bay Beacons. She can be reached at clane@tbnweekly.com.