If you are an educator, particularly one that works with younger students, it’s important to spend some time celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month and to remember that some things should be implemented in your processes and curriculum all the time. You are a critical person in your students’ lives in so many ways, so taking the time to support all of your students is important.
Representation Matters
It is so important that every student can see themselves represented in their school and classroom. This could be through literature, pictures in the room, story problems, etc. This doesn’t just relate to race, but also to how different families can look. Not every student has the same background and he or she shouldn’t feel like they don’t belong because they don’t see themselves in their classroom as much as their classmates do. Add more books about adoption to your classroom library. If you’re the parent of an adopted child, please do your best to try to prep him or her for school as well.
Take the Time to Learn More
You may be unfamiliar with the unique nuances of students who are adopted or in childcare and that’s ok! I was a high school teacher before moving on to being a college professor and I encounter situations a lot that I feel I wasn’t prepared for adequately. Not knowing is fine, but once you’re aware that you’re lacking information, it’s time to do some research. There are a plethora of books and articles available about adoption and foster care. I know that it’s easier said than done for you to find the time to do more, but it is important for your students and frankly, you have an obligation to support your students equally to the best of your ability. Being consistent is also very important because many students in foster care or who are recently adopted may feel comfortable in a routine.
Partner with Parents
It can be hard to know about students’ unique needs and backgrounds, but if you’re noticing something in the classroom, it’s important that you reach out to the parents or foster parents to help you with resources, ideas to support their child better, and to help you by being consistent at home. Parents may offer information prior to their child entering your classroom, so begin to think of what questions you’ll need to ask parents to better support and teach their child.
Use Positive Adoption Language and Work on Inclusive Documents
Though some words and phrases are commonly used, it doesn’t mean that they affirm adopted children or are correct. Be sure to use positive adoption language in your lesson plans, conversations with students, and if you stumble upon something in a book you are reading, be sure that you’re ready to explain why this is incorrect to your class. Additionally, make sure that the documents that you send home with students have inclusive language. Remember that your students may be in foster care situations as well. As the PTO President at my daughter’s school, we try to use language like “your student” and “guardian” as opposed to “your child” and “parent.” My daughter is used to some things not being the same for her as other students in her class, but a lot of these situations that cause discomfort for children can be eliminated simply by educating yourself about proper adoption terminology and ensuring that everything you send home is inclusive for all students.
Reconsider Projects and Assignments
Every time we get a family tree project, or someone asks a family history for my daughter, I cringe–and not just because we know that this is a project that all parents end up having to do more so than the students.. Her family tree is complicated and she is always worried about whose feelings might be hurt by including or not including someone on it. Think about projects like these before assigning them. We often send home interview questions for our students to interview family members, etc. Note that even if a student is not adopted, their family dynamic can be extremely different from the person next to them.
Know What Resources are Available
If you can, find out what resources are available not only at the school, but in the community should your student and their family need it. Is there free counseling at the school? How do parents sign up their students that may need that? If you don’t know this information, that’s fine, likely someone in the office can help those parents, but it helps you build a relationship with the families.
Celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month
Make sure to take some time in November to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month. You likely take time to celebrate other awareness months and days in your classroom, so ensuring that all students are represented is important. This is an important month to many who are a part of the adoption triad. If you need support, reach out to a parent for help.
For more educational resources about adoption, visit this site.