Nancy Adams has seen a lot in the past 39 years.
The Bert Church High School principal made no fewer than a dozen stops in her education career, before announcing her retirement, June 30.
Admittedly, Adams doesn’t like being in one spot too long, enjoying changes in scenery.
“I’ve never been in a school longer than six years,” said Adams. “I think change is a good thing. I’ve learned a lot about time.”
When Led Zeppelin released its seminal Led Zeppelin IV in 1971, Adams was beginning her career as an English teacher in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.
“I never really wanted to be a teacher, but back in those days your options of choice weren’t what it is today,” said Adams. “It was kind of like that then.”
She puddle-jumped to Nova Scotia, taught for two years, met and married her husband, and by 1976 was living in Calgary, jobless — but not for long.
Shortly after arriving, she strolled into the Rocky View Schools’ office in Calgary and inquired if there were any jobs available. Sure enough, there was.
“I began at what was then Airdrie Elementary-Junior High, which is now École Airdrie, and it was grades 5 to 9 and I was the 7-8-9 language arts teacher,” she said. “During that time, that’s when I went back to the U of C because it’s like ‘OK, I need to get better at this.’”
She attended university part time for six years and procured a master’s of education by 1983. With pit stops in Springbank and Crossfield, Adams settled in as principal at Bert Church High School for the past five years.
“I’ve been someone who really believes in investing in your community and students,” she said. “I try to be as visible as I can in our school community. It has been rewarding, fulfilling and has brought me a great deal of satisfaction.”
Adams is often spotted at the smoking pit with students, walking around the building, greeting kids as they arrive at school and milling about as they depart for the day.
“I think we’ve had a very positive, respectful relationship,” said Adams of the students. “It’s been a very supportive community.”
Making the decision to step down was “brutal” and Adams was offered a new job the next day within the division. She accepted has a six-month administrative position at the RVS Education Centre.
Rocky View Schools’ Trustee Sylvia Eggerer called Adams “inspiring.”
“She wants them to succeed. When you care that much about individuals, it shows in schools,” said Eggerer. “It shows in the standing ovations she got from her children. I’ve never seen administrators get the standing ovations she gets.”
After her contract expires, Adams isn’t sure where she will end up, but knows it will be hands-on and with other people.
“I won’t be somebody doing lunch or asking what’s on TV?” said Adams. “I’ll need to volunteer or work or I’ll go crazy.”
