Protecting Your NEST with Dr. Tony Hampton: Episode 158: The Life Experiences That Have Shaped a Great Educator with Paul J. Adams III

Episode 158: The Life Experiences That Have Shaped a Great Educator with Paul J. Adams III

Jul 7, 2023

Welcome to Protecting Your Nest with Dr. Tony Hampton. Paul J. Adams III is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Providence St. Mel—a Pre-School through 12th grade College Preparatory Private School located on Chicago’s West Side. Initially beginning his tenure at the school as the Director of Guidance, he later served as the school’s principal. Due to financial hardship, in 1978 Adams took over and founded the school as an independent school. Thanks to his leadership, the school has become one of the greatest success stories in the history of American education.

In this discussion, Dr. Tony and Mr. Adams talk about:

(06:03) Mr. Adams’ life experiences and how they formed his values
(09:41) Mr. Adams’ experience of marching with and meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
(13:11) Why involvement in the civil rights movement is important
(16:51) Why Mr. Adams became an educator
(19:47) How Providence St. Mel’s is able to take kids from a rough neighborhood in Chicago and get them into the top schools in the nation
(23:41) Why Providence St. Mel’s success is not being intentionally duplicated by other schools
(27:46) How Mr. Adams found the courage to face the challenge of founding a school
(30:04) How Mr. Adams raises money for the school
(33:24) Why Mr. Adams lives near the school in Garfield Park
(37:13) Mr. Adams’ philosophy of education
(40:54) The future of Providence St. Mel’s
(44:56) Advice for people facing challenges

Thank you for listening to Protecting Your Nest. For additional resources and information, please see the links below.

Links:

Paul J. Adams III:

Dr. Tony Hampton: