Ms. Shawn Adams, one of our wonderful RSP teachers, is an amazing newer addition to the staff here at Casa Grande High School. She received her masters in education at Sonoma State University.
Adams originally wasn’t planning on teaching RSP. Adams started out wanting to teach history, but her professor for her masters and credential programs, Professor Mahdavi, encouraged her to take a class on special education. After taking that intro class, Adams realized that was what she wanted to do.
After college, Adams spent a couple of years teaching at Kindercare preschool, and then she decided she wanted to try something new. That’s when she started out as a classroom aide 4 years ago here at Casa Grande. From there, she got the opportunity to become an RSP teacher, which is what she is doing now.
Her job has challenges as any job would. One challenge she has had this year is the change of the bell schedule. She described how this new schedule has brought on some new challenges for her, but she appreciates that with more classes, there are more opportunities for her students. Another challenge that she has to persevere through in her job is juggling behaviors. She likes to keep an organized classroom and plan for the day, and that allows her to keep a calm and productive environment, which then helps to regulate students’ behaviors.
Some characteristics that one of Adams co-workers said exemplify her are assertiveness, creativity, enthusiasm, and passion. These descriptions characterize her well. Adams truly loves her job, and plans to stay here at Casa for the long term.
Adams described aspects of her life outside of teaching at Casa. When she was in high school, Adams played volleyball for her school’s team. She also has two pet chickens that she tends to at home. When asked about what Adams likes to do with her free time, and without thinking twice, she answered that she loves to do arts and crafts.
She also enjoys traveling very much. Her favorite place to travel to is Europe. She likes going to Germany especially because she has family there that she loves to visit.
One of her greatest inspirations was her dad. She mentioned that she still thinks about him everyday and about all the knowledge and life skills he passed on to her. Another person that was a big role model for Adams is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is inspired by Ginsburg because she was a woman on the Supreme Court and also fought for women’s rights through her lifetime.
Adams is truly a great teacher and is an appreciated addition to our staff here at Casa Grande.
