In this one hour highly engaging workshop, participants will understand the components of an adoption-competent school. The importance of being adoption-competent and how this is good for all students will be discussed. In addition, participants will be provided with specific strategies for advocating for their adopted children in schools. This session will be followed by a Q & A with Dr. Melissa Sadin, educator, administrator and adoptive parent.

Dr. Sadin has served as a special education teacher and a building administrator. She is currently working as a director of special education. Publicly, Dr. Sadin has served on her local School Board, and on the Board of Directors of the Attachment & Trauma Network. She also serves as the director of the Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Program for the Attachment & Trauma Network. She has conducted research on the perceptions of teachers working to create trauma-informed classrooms. As an adoptive mother, Dr. Sadin provides firsthand understanding in her work with adoptive parents at conferences and in other formal and informal settings. Her first book, “Teachers’ Guide to Trauma” is a best seller. Her next two books in the series, “Gifted Children & Trauma” and “Resiliency & the Arts” have recently been released. Dr. Sadin has produced numerous webinars on children with attachment trauma in schools. She has presented at over 20 conferences nation-wide and has served as general session keynote in many national conferences.