Kentucky Teacher Adopts Student and Siblings, Creating Thriving Family of Six
As a Kentucky teacher prepares for the new school year, he is also celebrating the addition of four new students to his family. Justin Padgett of Danville, Kentucky, recently adopted one of his students, Jayden, along with Jayden’s three siblings, creating a thriving family of six.
The heartwarming journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2021 when Padgett, a fifth-grade teacher at Highland Elementary School, was finally able to teach his students in person. Jayden, one of his students, had fallen behind on schoolwork and expressed his desire to be adopted to Padgett.
The boy, along with his siblings, needed a new home as his current foster parents were unable to adopt them, and their birth family had lost their rights. Moved by Jayden’s plea, Padgett and his wife, Kasey, decided to open their hearts and home to the four siblings.
The adoption process began in April 2021, and after months of visits and preparations, the children officially moved in with the Padgetts in July 2021. The adoption was finalized on March 3, 2022, making the Padgetts a family of six.
The Padgetts hope their story will inspire others to consider fostering or adoption, especially for older children in need of loving homes. They emphasize the importance of providing resources and support for children who have experienced trauma and stress the need for guidance as they navigate their futures.
“We persevere through the hard times and work together as a family,” Justin Padgett said. “It’s a calling to be able to provide a loving and stable home for children in need.”
The Padgetts are grateful for the opportunity to expand their family and are open to whatever the future may hold, whether it be through natural birth or adoption. Their story serves as a reminder of the power of love, compassion, and the impact one person can have in changing the lives of others.
