The Amherst Central School District Board of Education appointed Robert Adams as its new director of health, physical education and athletics, effective Oct. 24. Mr. Adams replaces Jeffrey Wheaton who has accepted an athletic director position at Monroe Upper and Lower High School in the Rochester City School District.
Since 2013, Adams has been the director for student life and campus student engagement for Alexander Central School District. In this role, he supervised and administered the athletic department and extracurricular clubs, activities and events for the fitness, sports and swim programs. He managed the daily operations of athletic events; selected, supervised and trained coaches; directed club advisors; and supervised the district’s summer recreation program. He implemented a culture that encouraged student engagement in athletics and clubs, as well as developed and executed a long-term vision for athletics and student leadership.
Added to his duties at Alexander CSD, he served as interim middle and high school assistant principal, physical education department chair, PE and health education teacher for grades 7-12 and varsity tennis and varsity soccer coach.
His previous work experience included director of physical education and athletics positions at Magen David Academy in Panama City in Panama and at Sugar Creek Charter School in Charlotte, N.C. During the three years he was in Panama, he created, implemented and oversaw the PE and health curriculum for prekindergarten to grade 12. He founded the Under Armor Private School Athletics League (PSAL) which organized all private schools in the Panama area for competition. He also introduced a “Nuts for PE” afterschool program to provide enrichment for students outside of the academic school day. He also taught prekindergarten to grade 12 physical education. While in Charlotte, he created and implemented a PE and Health curriculum, introduced a six-sport athletics program and taught middle school PE and math.
He received a master’s degree in educational leadership/supervision with a concentration in athletics administration, a master’s and bachelor’s degree in education, all from Canisius College. He earned an associate degree from Finger Lakes Community College.
He holds professional certifications in School District Leadership, initial School Building Leadership, Physical Education (K-12), Health Education (K-12), lifeguard, first aid, and CPR/AED.
He received the Alexander Central Compass Teacher of the Year award during the 2017-18 school year. He is a member of SHAPE America and NYS Association for Health PE Recreation and Dance, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, NYS Athletic Administrators Association.
Former AD, Nancy Riccio, has returned on a temporary basis until Adams comes on board full-time at the end of October.
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