Educators

S.A.F.E. At School

Most people form their opinion about adoption through recent or previous personal contact with members of the adoption circle, or through media coverage of specific adoption stories. Sensationalized stories of adoption crises outnumber positive portrayals of adoption successes, and rarely is there an opportunity to learn factual, current information about adoption.

Unfortunately, educators are not ordinarily given materials and information about adoption, so they do not have the tools to help children learn about it.

Yet, in their world of school, after-school activities, and the neighborhood, adopted children need the support of informed adults who can guide their peers’ understanding and acceptance of adoption. Teachers are the critical link to that world:

• They are in a consistently influential position.
• Children trust them to have factual, accurate information.
• Children value their advice and opinions.
• They are skilled at providing information, while leaving room for children to make the information relevant for themselves.

C.A.S.E. has developed S.A.F.E. At School: Support for Adoptive Families by Educators, a program to assist educators in understanding the unique challenges for children who are growing up adopted.