As the end of the school year comes to a close, it is time to say goodbye to one of our most beloved faculty members.  English teacher Mrs. Anne Albertus, will be retiring at the end of this school year, wrapping up 20 years in education..

Starting off as a long term substitute teacher in the spring of 1998, Mrs. Albertus has been at Adams for 17 years. Before that, she taught for three years at Avondale School District with the Adult Education program.

This year, Mrs. Albertus taught AP Language and Composition and Language Arts 9, but she has spread her expertise over many grade levels. She has also taught Composition 12, Oral Communications and Debate class.

Debate has been a tremendous part of Mrs. Albertus’ career and she has served as the coach for much of her time at Adams. “She’s given me an interest that I’m very passionate about and has made me want to go into politics and current events,” Junior and Debate Team President Javeria Khan said

In her retirement, Mrs. Albertus plans on visiting her six grandchildren, all of whom live out of state. She would also like to travel out west and possibly to Europe. Although her time officially teaching at Adams is over, she still wants to be involved in education by coming in to substitute teach and tutor. Mrs. Albertus thinks highly of  the Adult Education program and hopes to continue helping adults become literate.

One of her most memorable experiences at Adams was starting her job while her children attended the school. “I remember plays and football games and robotics that they were involved in, and that was fun,” she said.

Mrs. Albertus has also enjoyed bringing professional theater to LA 9 students when the English department arranges for a  performance of Romeo and Juliet performed here at AHS.  She has been instrumental, as well, in arranging for local publishers to visit to talk to students about careers.

“I will miss being with students the most. They keep me young,” said Albertus. She also has many good friends in the building that she will miss, but she says, “I won’t be that far away, so it won’t be hard to keep in touch.”

“[Mrs. Albertus] has been a very valuable member of the Adams English department. She is a master teacher and she will be missed,” said Principal Kevin Cumming.