Spanish teacher delivers lessons with spirited creativity

Photo Credit: Megan Isom

Ms. Adams fell in love with Spanish after taking it in her freshman year of high school.

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October 10, 2011 • Shayley Steinke, Staff Writer
Filed under Teacher Highlight

Fun, enthusiastic, well-liked, and forever positive, these are the first things that come to the minds of students of one Howell High School Spanish teacher.

Mrs. Marci Adams fell in love with the Spanish language when she was a freshman in high school; therefore, she ended up taking Spanish all four years. As Adams progressed into college, she chose Spanish as her focus because it captured the fun and exciting part of school. It just came to her naturally.

Attending Wayne State University, Adams procured a bachelors degree in liberal arts, majoring in Spanish and a minor in English. She then went on to obtain a master’s degree in the art of teaching. Adams decided on teaching right before she had children herself.

“I want to make a difference in someone’s life, a kid like me. I want to be the teacher I never had,” Mrs. Adams reflected.

Mrs. Adams grew up with her single mother who was a small business owner. “I lived in south Redford, four houses away from the express- way,” Adams said with a slight chuckle. Adams also attended a Catholic school run by nuns.
Since she had a single mother, Mrs. Adam learned to be self sufficient, a hard worker, and not dependent on anyone.

Growing up the way she did had a strong influence on the kind of person she is today.

Family is a huge part of Mrs. Adams’ life. She has been married to her husband, John Adams, for thirteen years. Together they have two daughters, Madelyn, who is in sixth grade attending Highlander Way Middle School, and Ava who has just started second grade this year.

Within Adams’ family, they enjoy the company of their beloved pets. They have a Newphanland named Diesel, two guinea pigs, and a rabbit named Chloe, which is also the class pet. “I love animals,” she announced.

On arriving to Howell High School as one of her first jobs, Mrs. Adams was a student teacher under Mrs. Monica Thacker. “She is innovative and is always raising the bar for herself and her students. Her creative and energetic attitude makes learning Spanish fun,” notes Thacker. Mrs. Adams has currently been teaching for eight years at HHS.

Every style of teaching is unique to each teacher. One would say that Adams’ style is entertaining. Since most kids are kinesthetic learners, she tries to incorporate as much hands-on lessons as possible. From singing songs, making videos, and playing Simon Says, Mrs. Adams’ students are never bored. On top of all that, to keep her class motivated, this teacher remains positive even in the hardest times.

Sense of humor and sarcasm accompanies Mrs. Adams throughout the day. “When I was younger I wanted to be a comedian, now this is my stage,” she said pointing to the front of her vibrant classroom. Playing guitar and performing her monkey-squirrel noise, Mrs. Adams always keep things interesting.

“I am not afraid to have fun with a kid. You have to learn to laugh at yourself,” Mrs. Adams said.

Tags: ms. adams, spanish, teacher