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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
Published: October 19, 2020

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

photo of educator sitting in a circle with a diverse group of students

Recognizing Grief Awareness Day

Children’s Grief Awareness Day is held each year on the third Thursday in November. When educators equip all students with the skills to support a peer, they help create an environment that is beneficial for the entire school.
school counselor

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.
A father and child wearing masks walk hand and hand down the street

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.

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.

Leadership Institutes

Become an effective leader and advocate for your students, your coworkers, and public education through NEA’s Leadership Institutes.

Resources on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Student and Educator Mental Health

Supporting our students’ and educators’ mental health with social emotional learning (SEL) helps the whole school community thrive.
National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.