You know when you talk to somebody about something they’re passionate about, and their words start flowing seamlessly? That’s what it’s like talking to Clara Adams, the Questa High School agriculture and welding teacher.

Adams grew up in Jaroso, Colorado, and didn’t initially consider teaching, but circumstances led her to obtain her degree in English and eventually licensure and certificates in teaching.

“I was on the path towards becoming a veterinarian but my professors would tell me periodically that I would make a good teacher. I often found myself the go-between for teachers and students.” When Adams would hear how teaching was a recommended career choice, she would brush off that idea and continue on her route toward becoming a veterinarian. By the time she got married, in 1995, Adams had her pre-veterinary degree completed.

A big change happened when Adams decided she wanted to start a family. That’s when she switched majors to English. She graduated in 1997 and began teaching soon after. The school was small so many of the teachers wore several hats. Adams found herself helping out as a volleyball and basketball coach. Once her children were born, Adams decided to step away from the classroom for a while and focus on being a new mom.

It wasn’t until her kids were in elementary school in Costilla, New Mexico, that the opportunity presented itself. “Arlene Sanchez was the principal of the Questa Schools at the time and she encouraged me to be a teacher there… and helped me get the certification I needed.” Adams went back and forth, teaching in positions in Colorado and New Mexico.

Then, in January of 2004, Adams found herself at the Questa High School teaching English and language arts as well as agriculture. “I was at Questa High School from 2004 to 2011 and met a lot of great people there. Bob Jaramillo was a great mentor for me. He made it through the day with a positive attitude and encouraged me to do the same. Gordon Robinson, Lynn Galusky, and Barbara Rael also served as role models.”

In 2011, Adams returned to Colorado to teach and it wasn’t until 2023 that a teaching position presented itself at Questa High School once again. “I was so excited to focus on just agriculture. The field is something I feel very passionate about. I’m a very hands-on learner and encourage that type of learning in my classroom.” Adams is also the coordinator for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program at Questa High. Both agriculture and FFA are near and dear to her heart as she grew up in a farming and ranching family. Currently, she has 24 students in the program and couldn’t speak more highly of them.
Adams recounted a story about a past student who didn’t need to take her science class. He had already taken and passed that course, but kept coming back wanting to learn more. She eventually asked him, “Why are you here?” He told her he wanted to be there because he wanted to become a soil scientist.

Later, the student enrolled at Colorado State University, earning his degree in environmental sciences.

That was a moment where she felt that what she was doing was making an impact on students.

This led to the realization that you cannot be a teacher without a servant mindset—that you’re ultimately there for the kids. This is how Adams described the environment at Questa High School. “I work with great teachers who are there for the kids. We work together to help the students succeed.”

When asked what she might be doing if she wasn’t teaching, Adams said it would probably have something to do with horses or maybe being a veterinarian. She then expressed how she had past experiences with kids and horses in a therapeutic manner and how that made an impact on her.

A couple things you may not know about Adams are that she is a barrel racer, a published author, and a stellar athlete. All of these traits, combined with a determination to help kids learn is what makes Clara Adams such a valuable asset for the Questa Independent School District.