James Adkins has a deep commitment to students and to education. His journey to become a teacher is remarkable. He is Indio High School’s greatest champion for building an academic culture and developed our Renaissance program. He instituted our student of the month recognition and a massive community service outreach program which has turned many of our students into “big brother/big sister” mentors at our local Boys and Girls Club. He is the epitome of a student-centered teacher and promotes access to learning for his diverse students by modifying assignments creatively so that all the students in his class can succeed.