Adam Schulte has a deep connection to Mount Olive. A 2006 graduate of Mount Olive High School, Mr. Schulte has dedicated his career to giving back to the community that shaped him. Now in his 13th year as an educator in the district, Mr. Schulte’s journey from student to teacher highlights his enduring commitment to fostering creativity, resilience, and community spirit.

Raised in Mount Olive since infancy, Mr. Schulte’s roots run deep in this close-knit town. After graduating high school, he attended McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, earning a degree in elementary education. While still in college, Mr. Schulte began volunteering as an assistant track coach at Mount Olive High School and as a student council sponsor at the junior high. His early experiences confirmed his passion for working with students and inspired him to return to his hometown after graduation.

Mr. Schulte’s teaching career began in 2012 with a first-grade classroom. Over the next five years, he taught first and second grades before being approached with an unexpected opportunity: to create an elementary art program. “We were losing our elementary music teacher, and they asked if I’d be willing to start an art program instead,” Mr. Schulte recalls. “I said yes, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Now in his eighth year as the elementary art teacher, Mr. Schulte instructs students from kindergarten through eighth grade. His classes emphasize exploration, creativity, and the invaluable skill of learning through failure. “The biggest lesson I teach is to fail and persevere,” Mr. Schulte says. “Not everyone is an artist, but everyone can learn and improve. That’s what matters.”

Mr. Schulte’s passion for art stems from his own experiences as a student in Mount Olive. He fondly remembers taking art classes in elementary school and high school, where the current high school art teacher was also his teacher. In college, Mr. Schulte concentrated in art with a focus on photography, ceramics, and drawing, which has informed his approach to teaching. “I tell my students that even teaching art has made me a better artist,” he shares.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Schulte has also contributed to Mount Olive’s athletic programs. With 16 years of coaching experience, he currently serves as the junior high track coach. Mr. Schulte credits his older brother, a former coach, and his own high school coach, for inspiring him to take on the role. “Track is a sport where you compete against others, but also against yourself,” Mr. Schulte explains. “It teaches discipline and resilience, qualities that are valuable both on and off the field.”

Mr. Schulte’s dedication to the community extends beyond his professional roles. He works closely with FOCUS5, the district’s parent organization, to support events like the annual Fine Arts Fair. The fair showcases art projects from preschool through 12th grade, with community members coming together to celebrate student creativity.

“The turnout is always incredible,” Mr. Schulte says. “It’s a testament to the pride and support this community has for its schools.”

For Mr. Schulte, the most rewarding part of his work is the relationships he’s built with students, families, and colleagues. “I’ve taught the children of people I went to school with, and coached kids whose parents I coached years ago,” he says. “That continuity and connection are what make Mount Olive special.”

Mr. Schulte believes that art provides a vital space for students who may not excel in traditional academic subjects. “Not every kid is going to be a writer, engineer, or mathematician,” he explains. “But some are going to be designers, artists, or creators, and they need a space to explore and grow.” He’s particularly proud of how art helps students develop autonomy and problem-solving skills. “It’s one of the few places where they can make decisions without a set right or wrong answer,” he says.

Looking ahead, Mr. Schulte is optimistic about the future of Mount Olive Schools. He’s especially grateful for the district’s academic foundation, which provides grants and technology resources, as well as the supportive parent and community groups that help fund programs like his. “We’re really fortunate to have these resources,” he says. “It allows us to offer students opportunities they might not have elsewhere.”

Adam Schulte’s journey from Mount Olive student to educator is a story of dedication, creativity, and giving back. Through his work in the classroom, on the track, and within the community, Mr. Schulte continues to shape the lives of Mount Olive’s students, proving that the town’s greatest strength lies in its people.