Twenty one years ago, Sara Adams took a job as a part-time clerk at Wilt Elementary School. Now, after climbing the ladder at Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) she has reached new heights, being named the new principal at H.B. Slaughter Elementary School.
“As a servant leader, I am really excited about leading the students and staff at Slaughter,” Adams said. “I will prioritize the growth and well-being of the Slaughter community and I am deeply committed to ensuring that students and staff as well as families and community members feel as though they are an essential part of the school.”
During the 2023-24 school year, Adams has been training as a principal intern at Price Elementary. The principal internship program is designed to give educators the management tools needed to become school leaders.
“The Principal Internship prepared me for my next step - leading a school,” Adams said. “I was able to sit in the principal’s chair and use the practical, hands-on experience to solve problems and make decisions on a larger scale.”
From that part-time clerk’s job she took in 2003, Adams moved into other positions at Wilt Elementary - instructional assistant, instructor and 10 years as a teacher before being promoted to a district resource teacher in 2018. In 2021, Adams accepted a job as an assistant principal at Pathfinder, JCPS’ online school before moving to the Principal Internship program last year.
“Throughout her career, Ms. Adams has led with humility and she values the input from all stakeholders,” said Paige Hartstern, assistant superintendent of elementary schools Zone 2. “Additionally, she focuses on creating a caring, rigorous learning culture. Ms. Adams is a confident leader who will lead with high expectations for students and staff, and welcome partnerships with families.”
Adams received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bellarmine University and a Rank 1 in Instructional Leadership and Education Specialist in the principal program at Cumberland University. That education background also helped prepare her for her new post.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the momentum of the current success at Slaughter while we continue to grow and achieve,” Adams said. “I will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure students are engaged in a deep, rich learning environment.”
Adams will take over as Slaughter’s principal July 1.