Job Application Took Her Career in an Unexpected Direction

Serendipity played a major role in Susan Adams landing a job at OCPS in August 1983. Her friend was a bus driver with the district and encouraged her to apply for an open position.

Adams decided to go for it. She thought getting behind the wheel of a school bus and transporting students would be fun and provide her with flexibility.

She was called for an interview, but when she arrived, she was told it was for an administrative assistant position that reported to the director of the Management Information Systems department. The rest is history.

A native of Rocky Face, Georgia, Adams received an associate’s degree in business management from Dalton Junior College near her hometown. Shortly after joining OCPS, she took a four-year break to raise her family. When she returned, it was as a part-time administrative assistant supporting the superintendent and deputy superintendent’s offices at the Tampa Avenue Complex in 1988.

That position led to a full-time, senior specialist position assisting the deputy superintendent, Barbara M. Jenkins.

When Jenkins became OCPS’ nineteenth superintendent in 2012, Adams joined her as executive manager, a position of great trust and responsibility. “Susan was a wonderful assistant and a great friend,” Jenkins said. “She helped me keep my life organized on every level. A kind heart and phenomenal cooking skills were always on display. Her unfailing faith in the Lord was inspiring to many.”

Adams continued to assist Jenkins until she retired in December 2022.

“I never worked in any of OCPS’ schools,” Adams said, “but helped many parents and administrators with solving problems and was an advocate for children and families.”

Sometimes the work was life-changing, such as when Adams assisted a father and his three children find housing and get the necessary help they needed.

She has many fond memories of working for the school district, including winning the Educational Leadership Center’s bake-off competition twice and driving retired School Board of Orange County Member Kathleen “Kat” Gordon in the Jones High Christmas Parade when a convertible was not available. Adams came to the rescue by slapping some signs on her car and driving Gordon in the parade while she waved and threw candy to the crowds from the vehicle’s sunroof.

She is looking forward to retirement, but will miss the people she has worked with over the years.

Adams has practiced Vinyasa yoga for more than 20 years and taught for the past decade. During her retirement, she would like to get recertified as a

By Sandra Carr

yoga instructor and possibly open a bakery or sewing business.

She also plans to volunteer with her church and community and take scenic and relaxing boat trips with her family to the Florida Keys.

Retiree: Susan Adams

Title: Executive Manager, Human Resources and Executive Services

Years with OCPS: 36

OCPS Retirement Date: Aug. 31, 2023

Upcoming Virtual Retirement Services Department Workshops via Zoom:

MyFRS :: Workshop Calendar

Sept. 13, 5-6:30 p.m.:

Taking Control of Your Finances

Sept. 20, 5-6:30 p.m.:

Protecting Yourself and Your Loved

Ones: Estate and Insurance Planning

Sept. 27, 5-6:30 p.m.:

Nearing Retirement in the FRS