Teaching in Higher Ed Teaching, Learning, and the Lessons of Grief
Nov 13, 2025
In this conversation, Christy Albright, a researcher in learning sciences with a theological background, and Clarissa Sorensen-Unruh, a chemistry faculty member focused on pedagogy, delve into the complexities of grief in educational contexts. They explore anticipatory grief and its implications for faculty and students. The discussion touches on how grief can shape resilience and psychological capital, offering strategies for educators to support themselves and their students. Personal anecdotes reveal how grief remains a lifelong companion, emphasizing the importance of compassion in learning environments.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Grief Is Multi-Dimensional
- Grief combines bereavement (being deprived), mourning (remembering), and grieving (feeling weight or oppression).
- Christy Albright highlights these overlapping elements to show grief's complex nature.
Anticipatory Grief Happens Before Loss
- Anticipatory grief occurs when you know a loss is coming and start grieving beforehand.
- Christy Albright uses her husband's prolonged illness to illustrate this pre-loss experience.
Every Grief Is Unique
- Grief varies by person and by the specific loss; the same person grieves differently for different losses.
- Christy Albright notes even small disappointments count as grief alongside major losses.
