In one early class on Monday, I asked if anyone wanted to talk. The ones who were most affected insisted that I go on with the normal lesson. So I did. That day and the next and the next. We talked about hypnosis, ran through a few hypnosis exercises, talked about and tried meditation. Those are usually high interest lessons, but they were weighed down this time with grief and sadness and wonder.
Makes me question the worth of the academic material we wade through day in and day out, charging ahead so that transcripts will be stamped and sent, paving the way to the next hurdle. When emotions ease, I intend to pause, to give students a chance to talk about this week, to make that the lesson.