From the classroom to the Capitol, Adams makes the grade

Above: Before being elected to the Legislature, Greg Adams taught American government and economics at York High School. His teaching career spanned 31 years.

For 31 years, Sen. Greg Adams has stood before York High School classrooms full of young people teaching them the ins and outs of American government and economics.

But Adams wasn’t just teaching from a book, he had real life experiences in government to draw upon. He first ran for public office in 1986 and became a member of the York City Council. Later he became mayor.

“I thought I ought to practice what I teach,” he said of his political involvement.
Adams grew up in York and has a master’s degree in education from Wayne State College.

“It was just my nature to want to communicate ideas and help people understand things,” he said.

Looking back over his many years as a high school teacher, Adams said he wouldn’t change a thing about his career.

“Teaching is an honored profession,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had a positive impact on many people.”

Seeing that impact is what kept Adams in teaching for so long.

“Wherever I go I bump into a former student. I don’t mind a bit,” he said. “That’s been one of the great parts about teaching.”

After being elected to the Legislature, Adams retired from teaching. However, he doesn’t really look at it that way.

“I’m not convinced that I’m really leaving teaching,” he said.

Explaining ideas, listening to debate and educating himself and others on important issues are all skills that Adams said overlap between teaching and being a state senator. He said he is looking forward to using the lessons he’s learned as a teacher in his new role in the Legislature.

“I’ve always thought it’s very respectable to want to help people,” he said.

In his spare time, Adams and his wife, Julie, enjoy spending time with their family. Adams has three children and two grandchildren.

He also enjoys fishing, hunting and painting with watercolors. When things get busy or stressful at the Legislature, Adams will likely go for a run to regain focus.

“It’s a great stress release and it keeps you healthy,” he said.