Grief is an inescapable part of the human experience, even for students. 

As educators, we often are familiar with one or two students each year who are experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. However, there are so many other reasons students grieve. The Covid, Grief, and the Classroom: What Educators Need to Know and How They Can Best Prepare workshop will explore the causes of grief in students, how it presents itself in the classroom, and what you as an educator can do to support these students. 

There are many life experiences that can produce feelings of grief in a young person’s life, including: 

• Death

• Caregiver divorce or separation

• Moving

• Pet loss

• Change in health

• Change in schools

• Loss of an important item

• Academic challenges or pressures

• Loss of trust, safety, or control

• Loss of faith

Symptoms of grief in students may look like: 

• Inability to focus or concentrate

• Incomplete homework

• Unable to follow instructions

• Aggressive or angry outbursts

• Stomach or headaches

• Poor sleep at home

• Academic challenges

• Isolation

• Changes in eating patterns

Sadly, many educators feel powerless and unsure of how to support students during these times.

Students will often hear the same messages we have heard throughout our lives- things like, “give it time” or “just keep busy” or “be strong.” But these messages only invalidate the student’s feelings and experiences. 

As educators, we are in a unique position- we have built relationships with these students that are built on trust and care. We have the ability to impact a student in so many ways and during this critical period of mourning. 

In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to:

• Expand your understanding of what grief is and the various types of loss that can create feelings of grief in children

• Strengthen your knowledge of healthy grieving and coping in children

• Learn to help your students communicate their emotional truth regarding their losses

• Identify the emotional and behavioural symptoms of grief that are present in your classroom

• Learn how to support your students in positive and healthy ways during their loss

• Empower yourself and your students through their recovery and healing

Your workshop facilitator, Kimberly Hamilton, is a Mental Health Therapist, experienced teacher and Certified Grief Recovery SpecialistⓇ. Through her own experiences as a teacher and school counsellor, Kim has seen and worked with students from a variety of backgrounds and losses. She is passionate about connecting with students from the heart and supporting them during some of the most difficult times of their lives. 

Click here to purchase your tickets.

For questions or inquiries please contact info@healmyheart.ca or 780-288-8011.