For many, the word “school” instantly conjures up images of big brick buildings and rows of desks. For new math teacher Kelly Adam, it also means the Internet.

Adam, who currently teaches coordinate algebra and advanced algebra, has spent over 20 years as an educator in both traditional and virtual settings. Over the course of her career, she has worked at the online schools Georgia Virtual, K12, Aventa, and tutor.com, where she managed about 700 tutors and oversaw the addition of new subjects.

Although Adam appreciates the creativity involved in online teaching, what she especially likes are the face-to-face interactions of a traditional school setting.

“That’s why I’ve returned back to the classroom,” said Adam.

Still, she plans to incorporate her experiences as an online teacher in her Chamblee classroom.

“It gave me some great technical aspects, websites, and resources that I can marry with what I’m teaching,” said Adam.

So far, Adam has enjoyed her first few weeks at Chamblee.

“I love the community,” she said. “I love the diversity.”

Adam also has personal connections to the Chamblee community. Both her son, a fourth grader at Kittredge Magnet School, and her daughter, an eighth grader at Chamblee Middle School, are planning to attend CCHS.

Outside of school, Adam and her family enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. They are also avid travellers, due in part to her husband’s job as a safety specialist for Delta.

Adam’s favorite vacation spot so far is Palau, a tiny island in the middle of the South Pacific, where they immersed themselves in the island’s culture and natural beauty.

“The snorkeling is amazing,” said Adam. “We snorkeled in this place called Jellyfish Lake. By the time you’re in the middle of that lake, you’re covered by thousands [of jellyfish].”