It wasn’t a common path Dr. Crystal Adams took to become the principal at Tallassee High School. It's one rooted in family and love of teaching.
But teaching in the classroom didn’t come first.
“I grew up teaching riding lessons and riding horses with my parents,” Adams said. “I went to Auburn. I was on the equestrian team and continued to teach writing lessons.”
She got an animal dairy science degree and thought she might ride or find herself on a farm. Adams met her husband Chad at Auburn. He was a teacher and coach.
“I can credit him for getting into education,” Adams said. “He was like, ‘You love to teach. You teach writing lessons. Why don't you join me in the field of education?’ He brought me over to his side.”
Adams went back to school and got a masters in general science education. She taught science.
“I don’t advertise it a whole lot, but I coached a little bit — cross country and middle school girls basketball,” Adams said.
She got interested in curriculum instruction. With more education under her belt Adams became an instructional coach for Lee County. Soon she was tasked with creating Lee County’s alternative learning program, the Lee County Learning Center. It was her first real work as a school administrator.
“We targeted kids that just struggled, in general, with the traditional learning environment,” Adams said. “Some might have discipline issues. Some might just have social, emotional struggles that the general classroom, general big school environment doesn't work for them.”
The environment was tailored for students at risk of not graduating high school. There was a lot of one-on-one time with students identifying needs and setting goals to aid them in getting where they wanted to go.
“We identified what they wanted to do when they graduated,” Adams said. “We did tours of Southern Union and got them ready for what they want to do next. It was great. I mean, there's nothing more rewarding than watching those kids walk across a stage.”
Adams left Lee County schools to aid in starting the middle school at Pike Road as an assistant principal. But the drive was about an hour each way to the family farm. She was bringing her children with her for school.
Her husband Chad took a job teaching and coaching at Tallasse High School. To cut down on travel for their children, they too started attending Tallassee schools.
“I really wanted to be with them,” Adams said. “When you're married to a coach or another teacher, there's nothing like all of us being in the same system together, especially when it's a coach.”
Adams returned to the classroom almost three years ago at Tallassee High School taking a job teaching math. She noticed something about the school, its students, families and staff.
“There's so much school spirit here,” Adams said. “It's such a wonderful tight knit community. It's really a family.”
Adams sees room for growth in Tallasse High School. She notes the school has a wonderful and hard working staff. Adams said the school has great career tech programs, a great music program and athletics. She wants to grow current and new partnerships across the area.
She noted how Tallassee students can go to the Elmore County Technical Center. Adams hopes Tallassee students can gain access to more programs there such as JROTC and welding. She also wants to see in what ways Tallassee’s career tech programs can grow.
Adams said everyone in Tallassee schools knows everyone and are willing to help each other out.
“It really is just one big family,” Adams said. “If I’m wearing Tallassee purple and gold, I will see somebody that knows something about Talassee and our programs. It might be fine arts, athletics or academics. You always hear a story about how wonderful it is. It’s a rich culture and history that we have in Tallassee.”