Children in foster care are among the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the education system. They experience higher rates of trauma, placement instability, learning gaps, and emotional and behavioral challenges than their peers. With more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States at any given time, educators are often on the front lines of support, even if they are not aware of it. A child may not announce that they’re in care, but their story often shows up in the classroom through behaviors such as anger, anxiety, and shame, as well as struggling with academic or social engagement.

So, what can today’s educators do to support traumatized youth? The answer begins with understanding, followed by intentional action. Educators don’t need to become therapists or caseworkers, but with the right knowledge, empathy, and strategies, they can be powerful agents of stability and healing.

Children in foster care have typically experienced trauma, whether through abuse, neglect, loss of a parent, or chronic instability. This trauma can profoundly affect brain development, emotional regulation, attention, memory, and behavior. What may look like defiance, zoning out, or apathy is often a trauma response rather than “bad behavior.” Because they have lived through chaos or unpredictability, their nervous systems are........

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