Grief is a powerful emotion, and for young people, understanding and processing feelings of loss can be especially challenging. Last month, Iroquois Middle School seventh graders on Team Cayuga engaged in a meaningful cultural lesson on loss, led by their English teacher, Emily Morett.
When Morett’s grandmother, Hortensia, passed away, she was inspired to share her grief – as well as her Mexican culture – in a way that would both honor her grandmother’s memory and offer a valuable lesson in cultural awareness. Her idea was to celebrate Días De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead – a Mexican holiday that honors the lives of those who have passed through vibrant altars, photos, and offerings.
“My Mexican heritage is something I am very proud of,” Morett said, who noted that she was inspired to create this unit after being seated next to a multi-generational Spanish-speaking family at a restaurant shortly after her grandmother’s passing. “The older woman, surrounded by her kids and grandkids, reminded me so much of my grandmother, Hortensia. It brought back so many memories of the many visits to Mexico with my family. I knew I needed to do something representing my culture.”
With the help of her twin sister, Nikky Morett, she brought Días De Los Muertos into her classroom. Días De Los Muertos is a celebration of both life and death, a way to remember loved ones who have passed while recognizing that their influence and spirit live on. Traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, the holiday brings together families and communities in a joyful remembrance by creating altars or “ofrendas,” where families place photographs, food, and other mementos that reflect the lives of their loved ones.
“This experience helped me connect with my students on a deeper level,” Morett said. “I was able to share something so personal and important to me and my life, and they handled it respectfully and with so much care.”
The experience had a profound impact on the students. One student, reflecting on her grief over the recent loss of a younger cousin, said that seeing her cousin’s picture on the altar “made her feel like it was okay to feel the way she was feeling.” Another noted that “being able to participate in such a wonderful celebration and seeing my dad on the altar really meant a lot. Being able to remember loved ones as a part of the school day was just so special.”
“My students showed a lot of empathy throughout the event,” said Morett. “Many students were excited to bring in pictures and tell me about their loved ones; some were emotional reminiscing on memories of family they lost.
“Overall, I think this created a safe space for students to open up with their teachers and peers. Every group of kids that I passed, I heard sharing a memory or story,” she said.
For Morett, the success of the celebration wasn’t just in the visual impact of the altar, but in the emotional connections it fostered. The thoughtful contributions of her students, and the support from her colleagues, made it clear that this celebration was not just an educational event—it was a moment of shared humanity.
“I was overwhelmed by the support from my colleagues and students,” Morett said. “Many of my fellow teachers came up to me with tears in their eyes, telling me how much it meant to them to be a part of this.”
In the end, this celebration became more than just an introduction to a cultural holiday—it was a profound lesson in life, love, and connection. Morett’s students not only learned about a different tradition, but they learned about empathy, resilience, and the healing power of remembering those we hold dear.
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