how to bring the Foster Care Adoption Awareness Reading Program to your school

how to bring the Foster Care Adoption Awareness Reading Program to your school

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option March 18, 2025 Duration: 28:32

Foster Care Adoption Awareness in the Classroom: Lessons from Two Educators

In this episode, I sit down with Jamie and Linda, two passionate elementary school teachers who have been instrumental in shaping and implementing the Foster Care Adoption Awareness Reading Program. Jamie, a kindergarten teacher, collaborated with me to develop the original lesson plan and co-taught the pilot session in her classroom in 2023. Linda, a 3rd-grade teacher, has been teaching the lesson annually since its launch—including when my daughter (Season 1 guest, Little Sister) was in her class!

Together, we discuss the impact of integrating foster care adoption awareness into early education, the real-world moments that sparked student conversations, and our experience co-presenting at the 2024 Conference on the Young Years for Missouri early childhood educators.

Tune in to hear how educators can bring foster care adoption awareness into their classrooms and why this lesson is a game-changer for shaping young minds.

🔗 Subscribe, share, and learn more about bringing this program to your school!

#FosterCareAdoption #EducationMatters #AdoptionAwareness #TeachersOfInstagram #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FosterCareAdvocate #LessonPlans #TeachingForChange


Now in its sixth season, The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast moves beyond statistics to explore the human heart of foster care adoption. Hosted by Marcy Bursac, an adoptive mother and founder of the initiative, this podcast creates a space for voices often overlooked. Conversations flow naturally with adoptive parents, adoptees themselves, adults who experienced the foster system, and seasoned child welfare professionals. Together, they unpack the complexities, joys, and raw realities of building families through this path. The central, sobering truth guiding these discussions is that nearly 30% of children in U.S. foster care are legally free for adoption, yet many potential families encounter hurdles that prevent finalization. This series exists to bridge that gap with authenticity and practical insight. By listening, you’ll hear firsthand narratives that challenge misconceptions, offering a clearer picture of the process and the profound connections it can forge. Marcy’s role as a mentor shines through in each episode, fostering dialogues that are as informative as they are deeply personal. It’s a documentary-style journey into the layers of society and culture surrounding child welfare, designed for anyone curious about adoption, involved in the system, or simply seeking stories of resilience and belonging. Tune in monthly for these essential conversations that illuminate a path toward permanent homes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Meet CJ - Foster Child & Author [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
CJ is the author of "Obliterating the Odds". She was in foster care and was never adopted although she lived in 35 homes before age 17. Listen to hear her journey of going from tragedy to triumph.
Meet Amber - Adoptive Mom (of a sibling pair!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:19
Amber is in Texas and is the adoptive mom of a sibling pair. She also gifts my book The Forgotten Adoption Option to potential adoptive families in her area. Get ideas and insights about foster care adoption in this epis…
Meet Grandpa Bob - Adoptive Grandparent (and my dad!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
Adoption impacts immediate and extended family. I'm excited to introduce you to my dad who shares his experience with my family's foster care adoption journey.
Meet Rita Soronen - Foster Care Adoption Advocate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:43
Learn about the opportunity to adopt and advocate for children through the foster care system from Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.