GRIEF: IMPACTS ON LEARNING, SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY™
When a death occurs in a school community, it can be difficult for adults to know what to do and how to react.
Whether it is the death of a student, faculty member, or parent, the loss can greatly impact the greater school
community in and out of the classroom. It is vital for education professionals to be aware of how to best support grieving students and staff, as well as how to take care of their own needs and emotions.
Death and loss within a school community are inevitable and can have a profound impact on both students and their teachers. To quote Carl Jung: “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings”.
Reactions to death are distinct to the individual and should not be judged. It’s normal to experience a myriad of emotions right after a death and beyond, including anger, sadness, disbelief, confusion, guilt, and relief. You may also have physical reactions including trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and loss of appetite. It’s important to be aware of these reactions and feelings and to implement healthy coping skills. Some may choose to talk to others, write, do art or do physical activity to cope. Seek additional support if you feel you are struggling to manage your reactions in a healthy way
Although there are current efforts to prioritize the mental health of students and break down the stigma surrounding mental health, educators are still faced with obstacles in supporting these students.
Insufficient training, resources, and development are available to prepare educators to support students who have specific experiences of trauma, grief, and loss within the classroom.
Through a literature review and semi-structured interviews of two educators, this study looks at how educators are implementing effective strategies and methods to support young students dealing with matters of trauma, grief, and/or loss.
The findings of researchers in semi-structured interviews suggest that teachers use several strategies and resources such as connecting with students and families, accommodations, and utilizing universally beneficial practices.
These techniques, strategies, and resources are used to support students with trauma, grief, and loss despite certain obstacles. They work through obstacles by making use of available resources, school climate, and building relationships.
Resources
Coalition to Support Grieving Students
www.grievingstudents.org
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
www.nctsnet.org
National Alliance for Grieving Children
www.childrengrieve.org
What’s Your Grief?
www.whatsyourgrief.com
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
www.schoolcrisiscenter.org
New York Life Foundation
www.newyorklife.com/achildingrief
GRIEF: IMPACTS ON LEARNING, SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY™ Workshop
An estimated 1 in 14 children in the U.S. will lose a parent or sibling before age 18,* constituting over 4 million children nationally.
Participants in the Grief: Impacts on Student Learning, School Climate, and Community™ workshop will learn strategies to support PreK -12th-grade students who have experienced a loss of any type.
Participants Will…
- Learn definitions of trauma and loss related to grief.
- Learn universality of grief and cultural influences.
- Discover overlapping behaviors students demonstrate when they experience trauma and other losses.
- Understand the complexity of grief, trauma, and loss and its impacts on the physical, intellectual, and social aspects of students.
- Learn how Shapiro’s Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education paradigm is important in supporting students who have experience trauma and other losses.
- Understand the short and long-term benefits of the whole school community supporting students who struggle with loss.