LA SALLE WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL

JAMAL ADAMS

BRINGS POSITIVE COACHING MENTALITY TO PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

By: Carolyn Neuhausen ’04

The 2020-2021 school year will forever be remembered as the year the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close and students and teachers had to shift to remote learning. In a year where it felt like the hits kept coming, a bit of good news was just what the Lasallian community needed. This past summer, the community received news La Salle College Preparatory was hiring Jamal Adams as its new principal.

A native of Los Angeles, Adams grew up on the west side and attended Loyola High School and played basketball. After high school, Adams studied at Columbia University in New York City. While in college Adams says, “I learned to grow my capacity to work hard, to see the power of belonging to something bigger than myself, and the beauty of building relationships with people who come from a variety of backgrounds, interesting perspectives, and have a different lived experience than myself.”

After graduating from college, he briefly considered playing professional basketball abroad, but instead began working at Merrill Lynch as a stock broker and finance professional. While he enjoyed his job, he felt there was more he could be doing for his community, “I was doing well financially but had a hollow feeling and felt I could be making more of a difference in the world.”

Adams’ career brought him back to California where he began working at UBS. Around this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Pamela and they had daughter Jaylen (25) and son Jared (24). Adams and Pamela have been married for 26 years. Adams missed basketball and decided to take an assistant coaching job at his Alma Mater, Loyola, while he was working full-time at UBS. Then tragedy struck. Adams’ brother, who he describes as his best friend, was diagnosed with brain cancer at 26 and passed away at 31. It was this devastating loss that caused Adams to reevaluate his path. “My brother’s battle with cancer helped me realize I wanted to live a purposedriven life. So I chose to walk away from finance and become a teacher at Loyola which felt more in-line with my passion.”

Adams spent 16 years at Loyola as a Director of Faculty, Director of Equity and Inclusion, basketball coach and taught Economics and African American history.

His move from Loyola to La Salle comes at a challenging time for the School and the community. He notes that in addition to settling into a new role, keeping the community engaged in normal high school activities while also keeping everyone safe is a constant in his mind.

What Adams loves most about working in education is seeing how kids grow and change in their high school years, as they transition between childhood and adulthood. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the ‘ah-ha’ moments, that unbelievable sense of when someone gets something and lights up,” he says.

As a first year Principal at a new school, Adams is leaning on the advice of the Principal’s Council, Lasallian traditions and his own observations running the School’s day to day business. “I think it’s instructive to not be prescriptive this year, but to learn and watch and observe. Where I can offer

an idea that can move things forward, I will, but I only do that once I’ve heard different perspectives. This year will be about listening, discerning and being open-minded,” he says.

Adams hit the ground running and has identified areas he would like to see La Salle grow. First, in its influence and reputation within the broader Pasadena community as the premiere Catholic school in the region. Second, he’d like to see additional classes and programs that expose kids to vocational training, so students better understand where their interests and skills lie before they transition to higher education.

With years of experience in teaching, administration, and coaching, Adams’ philosophy is to facilitate partnerships with community members. He is a recipient of the National Double Coaches Award from the Positive Coaching Alliance, and strives to emphasize the skills and strengths of those around him. His coaching and teaching philosophy centers on lifting people up. “Really believe in belonging to something bigger than yourself,” he says.

PRINCIPAL ADAMS COACHING BASKETBALL AT LOYOLA

Adams hopes students view his role as Principal as someone they can talk to about what’s happening in their lives. While he does have an important job, he also understands the importance of balance. He’s firm when need be but also considers himself easy going with a sense of humor, “Even with the title of Principal, I’m just a cog in the wheel of the community that makes this place go,” he says.

ADAMS WITH HIS WIFE PAMELA

ADAMS AND HIS FAMILY AT DODGER STADIUM

ADAMS AND CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS

THINK FAST:

• What is your favorite food?

I love to eat. My favorite cuisine would be Mexican, but my favorite thing to eat is dessert. I’m a sucker for sweet potato pie and banana pudding.

• What is your favorite band/music?

I’m a hip hop fan. It’s the soundtrack of my life 80s and 90s hip hop was the sweet spot.

• What is your favorite city?

Los Angeles. But New York is a close second.

• Favorite TV Show?

Ted Lasso but historically The Sopranos.

• Favorite travel destination?

Belize, but Turks & Caicos is a close second.

• Favorite drink?

Banana milkshake.

• Favorite L.A. spot?

I’m a cyclist so I love riding the beach path at

Playa Del Rey and Palos Verdes.