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 Jane - Adoptive Mom (when her son was 6-years-old!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
Jane is a caring coworker who adopted a son when he was 6-years-old. She didn’t feel finished parenting after raising three biological children. Hear how “love can be a noun, a verb, and a decision” when it comes to fost…
Meet Robin - Adoptive Mom (of a teenager!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:58
"It is the best thing and the hardest thing she's ever done." Robin of Exodus Fitness Retreats shares how she went from "mentor" to "mother" overnight.
Meet Jennifer - Adoptive Mom (and fellow author!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
This episode is about a 3 month-old baby girl who met her forever family on Christmas Eve. Adoptive Mom, Jennifer Elwood is the Author of Counting Up to Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke. Her book is available…
Meet Nathan - Adoptive Dad (who also happens to be my husband!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:41
This has the feeling of a private conversation in our home. Learn from an adoptive dad who went from zero to two kids overnight. Learn common reservations for pursuing adoption and get a peek inside the real-life journey…