As a foster parent, I can provide children a chance at the life they deserve. As we know, children in foster care have experienced severe trauma.
As a teacher in a public school in NC, I work with children from low-income households. Children who come to school to eat breakfast and lunch. It might be one of their only times to eat. Some of these children depend on their teacher to give them the true and genuine affection that they may be longing for. Everyone desires to be loved and to have someone love them. Children want to know they are cared for at home and at school. If they are not receiving the care they need at home, then they may find ways to receive it any way they can.
As a foster parent and a teacher, sometimes people ask me: How can foster parents and teachers work together? As a Pre-K teacher with two foster children currently placed in my home, I believe teachers can be foster parents’ biggest support. I say this because the school system has numerous programs and services they can provide to the child if needed. Assistance like 504s, extended time for tests, IEP’s with adaptive learning environments, inclusive learning, speech, and physical and occupational therapy just to name a few.
The teacher and foster parent should establish a strong and working rapport so everyone feels comfortable to reach out and ask for help. I hear some foster parents are afraid to ask the school what to do for their foster child because they always hear the negatives. Coming from a teacher, I want to tell you to always advocate for your child. There is help out there and the school can assist you. If they cannot help you, they will find someone who can.
Theresa Taylor is a licensed foster parent with the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina and public school teacher.
