In this powerful episode of Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This, host Shaleka Smith sits down with Alea Allen, an educator who previously taught in Chicago and who has faced the unimaginable—losing multiple students to gun violence. Inspired by the heartfelt chapter Empty Seat by Alea Allen, this conversation sheds light on the grief teachers carry while continuing to show up for their students daily.
Shaleka and Alea discuss the emotional toll of seeing a student’s name on the roster after they’re gone, the pressure to be strong in the face of tragedy, and the lack of support for educators grieving these losses. With raw honesty, moments of humor, and faith-filled encouragement, this episode reminds us that even in grief, God is near.

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