Janet Adams
My journey in education has been so much fun. I studied nutrition and dietetics with an emphasis in chemistry graduating with honors and soon enjoyed sharing my knowledge through consulting. The bug for teaching quickly grew and I acquired a multi-subject teaching credential while working in a small K-8 elementary school assembling the first computer lab. Passionate about my new venture, I moved to a larger district and taught 3rd and 4th grades excited about bringing in new field trips to Yosemite, the state capital and wrangling in a few horses to showcase cowboy times. With encouragement from my superintendent, I soon became a cheerleader for charter schools and was the administrator for an independent/homeschool for the district. I love everything about education and learning and am super passionate about leadership. I soon became a leader for educational technology for classrooms at the County level. I promoted and connected live interactive video conferences for 13 school districts connecting museums, science centers, zoos and more to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Now an online instructor, I take the time to read all about my students’ ideas in their classrooms and love to locate additional resources for them. I am so grateful for an amazing group of online colleagues and educators that share and learn from each other. In my free time, I trek to the ocean or mountains to go camping and hiking in the Coastal mountains or the California Sierras with my husband, Bruce. I also enjoy spending time with our five grandchildren.
Professional Experience: I have been involved in the educational arena for 26 years. I have had the privilege to be an elementary and middle school teacher, charter school developer and administrator, categorical director, consultant for Harcourt School Publishers, County Office of Ed. consultant in EdTech, and Special Projects Coordinator for Fresno Pacific University.
Personal Experience: I have had the joy of raising and riding horses while growing up in the country. Later, I spread my wings and traveled throughout the United States for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as an educational consultant in all content areas. Loved my adventure in Ireland and riding a bike along the coast in the Galway Islands. Most of all, I still enjoy hiking the high Sierra trails in Sequoia National Park, Sierra National Forest, and Yosemite. Taking out our travel trailer in the fall and winter to California’s central coast has become a must. I also attend California Bird Festivals in Morro Bay and San Diego. Super enjoyed implementing and serving as the principal in the first charter homeschool in Kingsburg. Central Valley Home School has served 1000’s of students and families since 1996.
Scholarly Interests: I am currently pursuing teaching online professional development courses that empower educators to grow in their craft as well as use internet tools for effective instruction. Creating, producing, and directing educational programs for k-8 classrooms using live interactive video conferencing.
Honors and Awards: Loved riding my favorite mare in the local city parades. The parade committee presented me with the third-place trophy for horsemanship when I was a freshman in high school. As an educator, I was nominated for the Fresno County Office of Education Administrator of the Year.
Recommended Reading: Shake Up Learning by Casey Bell; Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller; Irresistible by Andy Stanley; The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck
Favorite Bible Verses: Old Testament: Psalm 19; New Testament: Acts 4:12 ~ “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Favorite Music: I like all flavors of music. Pandora makes it easy. Christian, Gospel, Classical, Relaxing.
Favorite Activities: Time in the Word, time with family and friends, time in the Sierras, time at the Central Coast.
Family Info: Married to my awesome husband, Bruce, for 44 years. Raised three children: Holly, a former 4th-grade teacher and mother of three, married to Chris. Chris is a packaging expert for Veritiv. Brett, a remarkable food enthusiast and spirit manager for the Hoxton Hotel in Portland. His wife, Elizabeth is a hair stylist and marketing advisor for Annastasia salon. Kirk, a F-15 fighter pilot for the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, married to Katie who enjoys painting and crafting on wood. They have two children.
What Matters: Walking with God daily
Pet Peeves: Weeds in my yard and seeing trees that are butchered by untrained pruners.
What I Like About FPU: I loved the classes that I have taken for my degrees in education that were cutting edge when I was an administrator. Today, I enjoy listening to FPU students. Their goals and dreams are amazing.