Trina A. Adams was a science teacher at the Universal Charter School.
Adams died Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. She was 42.
She was born Feb. 22, 1970, in Philadelphia. She was the eldest of three children born to Darlene Juanita Adams and John Adams Jr.
According to her family, she was the first African American to attend St. Genevieve Elementary School in Flourtown. After St. Genevieve she attended Queen of Peace Elementary in Ardsley and graduated from Jenks Elementary School in the Philadelphia public school system where she received a 97 percent score on her national examination, prompting a meeting with Philadelphia Superintendent Constance E. Clayton.
She graduated from Abington High School in 1987. At Abington High School she received the Anne Frank Youth Award for “Fighting Bigotry and Injustices” for her work. This event was one of those moments that promoted her interest in teaching.
Adams received a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s in education in biology and technology, a master of science in special education and a doctorate in education. She was certified by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in biology, physics, chemistry, general science and special education.
Her family said her combined education prepared her to develop a profound interest and understanding in developing differentiated science, research and technology programs, being known and respected for characterizing teaching strategies for teaching every student according to her unique and special needs, and her evidence-based effectiveness as a supportive leader when serving as an academic administrator.
She was an educational consultant who did various national presentations for institutions and agencies such as Cleveland Department of Public Health, MBNA-America, National Aeronautics and Space (NASA), the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Meharry Medical College.
Adams was president and CEO of Ventures Incorporated, a company that managed and owned Write It Right Inc., TAA Educational Consultants and TAA Intellectually Disabled Consultants. These three subsidiaries implemented educational and staff development, private and small tutoring sessions, the writing of professional and executive résumés and preparation for the interview process and consultations for writing effective admission essays to law, medical and business administration schools.
She specialized in understanding intellectual disabilities in adults and children, case documentation, providing vocational diagnosis, and reading and interpreting laws and regulations affecting children with disabilities.
She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Amnesty International, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Writing Project and Montgomery County Republican Committee.
Adams was also the recipient of the Catto-Coppin Successful Woman Award. She was listed amid the Chancellor’s List of Scholars, National Dean List Registry and Who’s Who in America: High School, College and Professionals.
In 2012, she was offered an opportunity to teach science at Universal Charter School. She accepted the position and became a member of the executive team and the department head of science. Upon learning of her death, parents, students, staff and Universal teachers erected a shrine in her honor in South Philadelphia.
In addition to her parents, Adams is survived by her two brothers, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held January 26 at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery Chapel of Peace, 225 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd. Viewing will be held from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority service will be held at 10:45 a.m. The funeral service follows at 11 a.m.
Arrangements were handled by Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service.
