The Division of Family and Children Services Adoption Unit recently awarded Teresa Gant a Certificate of Appreciation when she was named McDuffie County Adoptive Parent of the Year 2007.
Ms. Gant, a paraprofessional at Thomson Elementary School, has always loved children, but could never have any of her own. Ms. Gant first became involved with adoption services in 1991 when she became a foster parent. In January, Ms. Gant became the adoptive mother of Alexis Gant, who is now three.
As a token of appreciation for being such an outstanding parent, Ms. Gant recently spent a weekend in Atlanta with other adoptive parents from across the state. She was pampered with spa visits, makeovers, manicures and photo shoots.
The program included meeting Miss Georgia USA 2007 Brittany Swann, who was a speaker. Ms. Gant said that Miss Swann was motivational because she was adopted at age two and could relate to all of the parents.
"(Miss Swann) showed that an adopted child could still be successful," Ms. Gant said.
When Ms. Gant received her gift bag and certificate at the ceremony she was shocked and surprised, but she was incredibly happy. Ms. Gant plans to still be involved with foster care and hopes to eventually adopt a little boy.
"I love being a parent," she said.
