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An Empty Seat in Class: Teaching and Learning After the Death of a Student
The death of a student, especially to gun violence, is a life-changing experience that occurs with more and more frequency in America’s schools. For each of these tragedies, there is a classroom and there is a teacher. Yet student death is often a forbidden subject, removed from teacher education and professional development classes where the curriculum is focused instead on learning about standards, lesson plans, and pedagogy. What can and should teachers do when the unbearable happens? An Empty Seat in Class illuminates the tragedy of student death and suggests ways of dealing and healing within the classroom community. This book weaves the story of the author’s very personal experience of a student’s fatal shooting with short pieces by other educators who have worked through equally terrible events and also includes contributions from counselors, therapists, and school principals. Through accumulated wisdom, educators are given the means and the resources to find their own path to healing their students, their communities, and themselves.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 4, 2025
this is definitely not on the same rating scale as my fictional books. but this is a 5/5 in regards to educational literature.
as someone who struggles to read any nonfiction, i was able to very willingly read this book. the way the author told a story and stopped each chapter to delve into informational/education aspects of student death was compelling and interesting. the organization and excerpts from other educators helped to keep me reading. it is unfortunate that i have to read a book like this in order to feel prepared as an educator but it’s real & very much so pertinent. i am happy there are resources out there now like this that were much too uncommon just years ago.
as someone who struggles to read any nonfiction, i was able to very willingly read this book. the way the author told a story and stopped each chapter to delve into informational/education aspects of student death was compelling and interesting. the organization and excerpts from other educators helped to keep me reading. it is unfortunate that i have to read a book like this in order to feel prepared as an educator but it’s real & very much so pertinent. i am happy there are resources out there now like this that were much too uncommon just years ago.
February 4, 2016
This book deals with a terrible reality, but is so needed. I am thankful for the mentors who passed it along.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews