SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Teaching Through Grief: What Happens When Educators Need Help

Advertisement

By Britt Jungck

I was not prepared for Pam.

Teachers work with dozens of colleagues a day, from grade-level partners to school counsellors to social workers to speech therapists. We sometimes drift in and out of each other’s lives so often that we take for granted what we contribute to each other’s days.

In 2020, I had recently moved and left a district where my co-teacher and I had the kind of relationship that allowed us to read each other’s minds without saying a word. I didn’t think I would experience that kind of synergy again, but then I met Pam.

Pam was from California and now worked as an instructional strategist in Iowa. An expert in special education, Pam was respected by everyone. She had a fierce loyalty to her students and would stop at virtually nothing to ensure their educational needs were met.

Within seconds of meeting, we clicked. She became someone I counted on each day, someone I could laugh with about the absurdity of working in public education during a pandemic, someone I could sit in silence with and enjoy a cup of coffee, and someone I could cry to on really terrible days. Pam made me a better teacher.

Then one day last February, I was waiting in line at a coffee shop drive-thru on a crisp Saturday morning, scrolling through my Facebook, when I saw an odd story with Pam’s face and the words, “Heaven Gained Another Angel.” In disbelief, I looked up the number for the person who made the post and called her, skipping the hello, and shouting, “What does your post mean?!”

University training prepares educators for a lot of scenarios on the job: writing lesson plans, filling out evaluations, completing standardized testing administration, etc. But what it doesn’t prepare future teachers for is the inevitable grief that comes with the job.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Britt Jungck is a licensed Master Educator for the State of Iowa. She gets her joy out of inspiring students to read and find themselves in books. She has been working with K–12 students all over Iowa since 2003, and is currently earning her PhD in Education with an emphasis in Social and Cultural Studies & Public Policy from Iowa State University.

Education News

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

CoSN Unveils 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report

The annual report provides actionable recommendations to help districts shift from reactive to resilient amid escalating cyber threats.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Britt Jungck
Britt Jungck
Britt Jungck is a licensed Master Educator for the State of Iowa. She gets her joy out of inspiring students to read and find themselves in books. She has been working with K–12 students all over Iowa since 2003, and is currently earning her PhD in Education with an emphasis in Social and Cultural Studies & Public Policy from Iowa State University.

Advertisement

Read More

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Explorations in Biology Through Origami, 3D Modeling, and Optical Illusions

Blending art and biology through hands-on paper-folding activities is a fun and unique way to engage students at the elementary level.

4 Places Teachers Can Buy Custom Assistive Technology Devices for Schools

Custom assistive devices empower students with disabilities by fostering independence, building skills, and supporting full inclusion in the classroom.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

CoSN Unveils 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report

The annual report provides actionable recommendations to help districts shift from reactive to resilient amid escalating cyber threats.
ruleta de muerte | rueda de casino | codere promociones | m casino | record de goles en la liga española | huawei ruleta méxico | como ver videos en kwai para ganar dinero | casino codere los mochis | como ganar dinero viajando en furgoneta | como le hago para ganar dinero en kwai | miravalle palace casino | tragamonedas online | login caliente | numero de caliente mx | casino español restaurante | winpot casino plaza las américas | casino online i sverige | como invertir y ganar dinero en internet | cuándo juega el feyenoord en la eredivisie | jack casino | jackpot slot | bono de bienvenida casino | ganar dinero haciendo recargas | playdoit casino | baraja poker | juegos tragamonedas gratis | caliente mx apuestas | loterias de mexico | juegos de azar | casino life acapulco | libro ruleta | casino play city | zodiac casino | terminal casino de la selva cuernavaca | ruleta rusa wikipedia | blackjack reglas | juegos con baraja española | play city casino acoxpa | como apostar en ruleta | casino slots | casino oasis | como funcionan las tarjetas de google play de $100 a $5,000 | bet365 | aplicaciones para ganar dinero jugando videojuegos | juego de cartas conquian | como concursar en la ruleta de la suerte | ruleta apuestas gratis | roma casino | catalonia bavaro beach golf & casino resort | superama cerca de mi | en caliente casino | ruleta free game | sycuan casino | como ganar la ruleta casino | rb leipzig werder bremen | paradise casino | pizza xtreme factory | casino caliente queretaro | mr bet casino |