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NCSS to induct TK and Louise Adams into Educator Hall of Fame
TK and Louise Adams
Louise and T.K. Adams in 2017. - photo by Covington News/File Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County School System is pleased to announce that Mr. Timothy K. (T.K.) Adams, Sr. and Mrs. Louise Adams will be inducted into the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame on Monday, Nov. 13.

“This will be our first class of inductees into our Educator Hall of Fame and I cannot think of two finer individuals to honor,” Samantha Fuhrey, NCSS superintendent, said. “Mr. and Mrs. Adams are stalwarts of the community and have truly impacted our school system in a positive way. It will be a true pleasure to officially induct them into the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame as they are so deserving of the recognition.”

The school system established the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame to honor and recognize the outstanding and memorable retired educators who significantly influenced and made a difference in the lives of their students and whose professional capability and integrity inspired the admiration and respect of not only students but also fellow staff and the community. Nominees must have maintained exemplary standards of behavior and ethics, exhibited leadership, demonstrated competency in their subject matter, worked well with colleagues and administrators, and encouraged and motivated students, thereby leaving a lasting influence on the Newton County School System.  The NCSS Educator Hall of Fame is also a means to honor the teaching profession as a whole for its vital role in shaping the future of individuals and society.

Candidates are selected for induction based on, but not limited to, the criteria listed below:

  • A minimum of 20 years of service in the Newton County School System as a classroom teacher, administrator, counselor, or media specialist;
  • Retired from the district for at least three years;
  • Proof of quality teaching;
  • Evidence of impact or significant contributions to student success;
  • Involvement outside the classroom, such as sponsor or extracurricular activities.

Candidates are judged on a preponderance of the evidence as demonstrated by their qualifications and letters of support from former students and colleagues. Significant, long-term contributions to student success are required. While many serve a long and distinguished career, longevity, without meaningful impact does not constitute appropriate credentials for Hall of Fame consideration.

Mrs. Leila Elkins, retired choral instructor for Cousins Middle School, nominated Mr. and Mrs. Adams for the Hall of Fame. The NCSS Educator Hall of Fame selection committee approved each of their nominations by unanimous vote in early October.

Mr. T.K. Adams, Sr. served as the band director at Cousins Middle School for 36 years. During his illustrious career, he was elected Teacher of the Year on four different occasions. During the summer of 1966, Mr. Adams earned recognition when ten of his students were awarded a tour of Europe with the school band and chorus of America. For more than 25 years, he spent his summers serving as director of woodwinds at summer camps throughout the state and is continually in demand as a clinician and adjudicator. He was State of Georgia District Ten Music Chairman from 1986-1988 and earned recognition as a finalist for the Newton County Association of Educators Teacher of the Year.

Throughout his career, Mr. Adams was a member of numerous education organizations, including the Newton County Association of Educators, the National Association of Educators, the Georgia Association of Educators, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. He has also served on many local organizations to help support the Newton County community, including the Newton County Community Council, the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Covington, The Arts Association in Newton County, Gaither’s Plantation Committee, and the Kiwanis Club of Covington. Mr. T.K. Adams founded the Newton County Community Band in 1993 and served as its director for many years. He is also a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Covington.

Mr. Adams has received numerous awards over the years, including the Icon Award for Excellence in Education from Springfield Baptist Church and the Living Legend Award from the Newton County Branch of the NAACP. The Georgia House of Representatives approved a resolution celebrating Mr. Adams’ more than 40 years of contributions to Newton County, the City of Covington, and the area of education. In particular, the resolution notes Mr. Adams’ important role in helping the county make a peaceful transition during school integration in the 1970’s. He was presented the “Key to the City” of Covington by the mayor and city council and the Newton County Board of Commissioners declared July 4, 2012 as “T.K. Adams Day.”

Mr. Adams is married to fellow NCSS educator, Mrs. Louise Adams. The retired principal of Ficquett Elementary School. Mrs. Adams served as a teacher at Cousins Middle Elementary School, where she was elected Teacher of the Year. She also taught seventh and eighth grade reading at Old Porterdale and was a reading specialist at New Porterdale before becoming a reading teacher at Cousins Junior High. She was promoted to assistant principal at Ficquett Elementary School and in 1981 was named principal of the school. Mrs. Adams was elected the Newton County Association of Educator’s Educator of the Year in 1980 and was a Teacher of the Year finalist in 1983.

Like her husband, Mrs. Adams has volunteered her time and served as a member of numerous local organizations and community groups, including the Covington Newton County Recreation commission, the Kiwanis Club of Covington, Literacy Volunteers of Newton County, Board of Directors of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Smart Growth Newton County, Newton County Board of Health, Newton County Community Foundation, etc.

Mrs. Adams was a member of numerous educational organizations, including the Newton County Special Education Advisory Committee, Newton County Association of Educators, National Association of Educators, Georgia Association of Educators, Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, and the Newton County Teachers Association. Like her husband, Mrs. Adams is an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Covington.

In addition to their individual awards, Mr. and Mrs. Adams were recognized by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce when they were presented the 2001 R.O. Arnold Award. The following year, the Adams’ received the “I Have A Dream Award” in honor of keeping the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream alive.

“Mr. and Mrs. Adams both had illustrious careers in the Newton County School System,”  Fuhrey said. “The awards are testament to that. Most importantly though, the Adams’ influenced so many students in a positive way over the course of many years. And they are still doing that as they often volunteer and support the Newton County School System. Mr. T.K. and Mrs. Louise Adams are known throughout our school system and the entire Newton County community for their good works and deeds. I look forward to inducting them both in the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.”

“We’re excited to have Mr. and Mrs. Adams as our first inductees in the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame,” Sherri Davis-Viniard, NCSS director of public relations, said. “While invitations have been mailed out, we encourage current and retired educators and any former students of Mr. or Mrs. Adams who wish to join us to celebrate this outstanding couple, to attend the NCSS Educator Hall of Fame Reception at the Porter Performing Arts Center on Monday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m.”