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A Kentucky State University 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 Kentucky State 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 Kentucky State 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 Kentucky State 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 Kentucky State,” Adams said. “Don't be afraid to try something new while in college; there are so many lessons to learn.”