The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning
Teaching After a Tragedy
As the Brown community grieves the loss of life resulting from the tragic events of December 13, 2025, instructors are adjusting to the abrupt conclusion of the Fall 2025 semester and looking ahead to the winter session and spring semester.
Seeking Mental Health Support
Instructors are encouraged to seek support during this time of unfathomable loss. We are linking here to a message from Marie Williams, Vice President for Human Resources, on Brown's Employee Assistance Program and crisis support for faculty and staff. (Note: you will also find a message outlining key support resources for students when you click on the link below).
Fall 2025 Support
- If instructors have questions about the Provost’s communications on cancelling Fall 2025 in-person exams and extending grading deadlines, please email provost@brown.edu for assistance.
- Undergraduate students with questions should be directed to college@brown.edu for assistance.
Winter Session & Spring 2026 Support
Instructors might also be thinking ahead to the challenges they and their students will face learning in this new environment. The Sheridan Center is grateful to colleagues at the University of Virginia and Michigan State University for allowing us to share the resources they developed in the aftermath of their own campuses’ tragedies.
- Teaching in the Days After a Crisis (UVA)
- The Basics of Trauma-informed Teaching (UVA)
- Teaching after Tragedy – Managing Academics (Michigan State)
- Managing the trauma of tragedy [an expert Q&A] (Michigan State)
- Teaching in the Face of Tragedy (Michigan State)
- How to Respond in the Classroom: Moving Forward after Tragedy and Trauma (Michigan State)
Questions? Reach out to us at sheridan_center@brown.edu.