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NEA Advice

Grief and Loss Resources for Educators and Students

The experience of personal loss weighs heavy on all of us, especially now as we continue adapting to a new way of life.
ESP helping student with their mask
By: National Education Association
Published: October 19, 2020
This resource originally appeared on NEA.org

NEA is a proud founding member of the Coalition to Support Grieving Students, a unique collaboration of leading professional organizations representing public school educators as well as other school professionals who have come together to provide grieving students with the support and care of the school community. Its purpose is to create a set of industry-endorsed resources to empower school communities across America in their ongoing support of grieving students.

To support educators and students during these rapidly evolving times, we’ve gathered a list of grief and loss resources for self-care, wellness, and resiliency from the Coalition and some of its member organizations.

Resources

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How to Address Grief Among Students of Color

When children of color grieve, their grief may be complicated by experiences of inequity in their families and communities.
Learn more
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Grief Support for Back to School

As students return back to school, there's an opportunity for educators to offer valuable support that can make a profound difference in grieving students’ lives academically, socially, and emotionally.
Learn more
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Mother's Day Resources

For students who are grieving, Mother's Day celebrations can be confusing and painful. However, there are steps education professionals can take to offer support.
Learn more

Supporting Grieving Students - The School Me Podcast

Grief is affecting so many more Americans than usual, including our students. Schools need to be prepared to support students who have lost a loved one, but how can they do it? Kate Wilcox is a high school librarian in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who took it upon herself to answer this question by starting a grief support group for students who’d experienced loss. Listen to her story on our podcast below.

Suggested Further Reading

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