TEAM Charter Schools: A KIPP Region

Kid Focus Award Winner

Diane Adams // SPARK Academy // Kindergarten Teacher, Grade Level Chair

In the words of her nominators…

The winner of the Kid Focus Award is Kindergarten teacher and grade level chair Diane Adams from SPARK Academy. As one nominator put it, “Diane Adams makes it a priority to touch each and every child’s life through her kindness, patience, and constant optimism.” As another colleague said, “Diane sees every child at SPARK as hers, and will do whatever she can to ensure each student in the building is safe, happy, and, above all else, LEARNING.” When she found out that a few of her scholars wouldn’t be dressed or have money for picture day, Diane quietly filled out their forms and paid for their photos because she didn’t want them to miss out. Or when she heard another student talking excitedly about a birthday party she knew his mother couldn’t financially support, she found a way to make sure it was still special. Her relationships with students are legendary and whether it’s picking up her students from a homeless shelter on the way in to work, taking out former students for a regular play date, or making sure a student has food to take home at night, Diane sets a tone for SPARK that believes in, respects, and loves all of our students all the time. In the words of one nominator, “I can comfortably speak for every kindergarten teacher and scholar when I say that we are all better versions of ourselves because of Diane Adams.”