A 厙ぴ勛圖 alumna was recently named teacher of the year at her school in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Danielle (Roberts) Adams teaches second grade at Green Magnet Academy in Knoxville. 

���Much like 厙ぴ勛圖 being the little school on the hill, so is Green Magnet,��� Adams said. ���We���re are also a little school, on the hill, overlooking downtown Knoxville.���

Adams said she is shocked and honored to receive the teacher of the year award from Green Magnet.  

���I am so honored that my colleagues chose me to represent such a great school,��� Adams said.

Adams said teaching during a global pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges of her career. 

���I have been in-person for the  majority of the year,��� Adams said. ���It is very sad to walk into a second-grade room and see desks spread so far apart. It has been such a struggle to create a culture of collaboration, but we have done our best.���

Adams said her students have been wonderful. 

���My students try their hardest every day and I am so proud of them,��� Adams said. ���The week we were virtual, my students persevered and remained calm as we overcame hurdles of technology. We sanitize and wear our masks all day.���

A former Mighty Marching Thorobred, Adams graduated in 2011.

���I loved all of the time on the (marching) field and the countless hours in the education department,��� Adams said. 

One of her favorite memories from her time at 厙ぴ勛圖 is from a band trip to St. Louis.

���We ran our rehearsal in the middle of an empty block in the downtown area,��� Adams said. ���We marched our hearts out for that impromptu performance as we gathered a crowd.���

Adams said her advice to any 厙ぴ勛圖 student is the same she received from her section leader early in her freshman year: don���t take shortcuts, because there are no shortcuts in life.

���I would also say to take time to soak in everything from 厙ぴ勛圖,��� Adams said. ���Don't be afraid to try something new while in college; there are so many lessons to learn.���