As summer is steadily winding down and your child is heading back to school and into the classroom with a brand new teacher, it would be mindful of you, as an adoptive parent, to think about what your adoptee may need in the classroom. 

Preparing teachers to support adoptees in the classroom involves fostering awareness, sensitivity, and inclusivity. Here are some key ways to help your child’s teachers be better prepared:

Educate on Adoption Dynamics

If your child’s school is able to, encourage leadership to offer professional development opportunities that educate teachers on the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of adoption. Include topics such as identity formation, attachment, and the diverse experiences of adoptees. While not all teachers may have adoptees in their classroom, adoption education is crucial for all staff so they can support adoptees. 

As a positive practice, before the school year kicks off, connect with your child’s teacher and share resources about adoption. Some great resources for teachers could be books, articles, and materials about adoption, including information on different types of adoption (e.g., domestic, international, foster care)

 Encourage Sensitivity in Language

 Another great conversation to have with your child’s teacher is to educate them on the importance of using positive adoption language, such as “birth parents” instead of “real parents” or “placed for adoption” instead of “given up for adoption.” Language is constantly changing so it’s helpful to continue to educate others, even if they are already familiar with positive adoption language. 

Additionally, you can encourage teachers not to make assumptions about family structures or the circumstances of an adoptee’s life. For example, avoid assignments that require students to bring in baby pictures or create family trees that might exclude non-traditional families.

Create a Supportive Classroom Environment

Another best practice for all classrooms is to encourage teachers to cultivate an inclusive classroom culture where all students feel accepted and seen, regardless of their family backgrounds. This may involve teaching about different types of families and celebrating diversity.

 Note: It’s important to recognize and prepare ahead of time for the adoptees that might need emotional or academic support at different times, especially during sensitive periods such as learning about family history or cultural heritage.

Be Mindful of Curriculum

It also would be helpful to ask your child’s teacher about any curriculum and discussions that could be triggering or unsafe for adoptees. Teachers should make sure their curriculum is sensitive to adoption-related issues. For example, lessons about genetics, family history or family trees, or cultural identity should be replaced with more inclusive assignments. This not only protects adoptees but also students that are in foster care, refugee students or those that come from diverse family backgrounds. 

Prepare for Difficult Conversations

One of the most important things teachers can do is be prepared  to address questions from other students about adoption in a way that respects the adoptee’s experience and privacy. Children are curious and often lack boundaries. If adoption-related issues arise, such as teasing or insensitive comments, teachers should be equipped to intervene and provide a safe, supportive environment for the adoptee. Adoptees should never feel obligated to share their stories, nor should teachers call on them to share their stories. It’s important to make sure your child’s teacher is aware of how damaging and harmful intrusive questions from other students can be for adoptees. 

Having an open communication with your child’s teacher before and during the duration of the year can help your teacher feel equipped in caring for your adoptee while they are at school. Additionally, it is your responsibility as an adoptive parent to ensure that every year your child’s teacher understands the unique needs and experiences of adoptees. The hope is that by preparing teachers with the knowledge, tools, and sensitivity needed to support adoptees, schools can create a more inclusive and nurturing environment for all students.

By: Ramya Gruneisen