As if Elizabeth Adams, an educator, mother of three, grandmother of two and author, wasn’t busy enough, she’s in the midst of her studies for her fourth master’s degree.
Adams chose Grand Canyon University while writing her fifth self-published book in “The Realm Weaver” series.
She already has earned a slew of master’s degrees – in education, Spanish and instructional design development, and now is attending GCU online from her home in Texas in hopes of adding to that with a master’s in leadership.
Adams has taught Spanish and science for more than 20 years in private and public schools and has a passion for learning.
Being a teacher has changed her life in more ways than just in the classroom.
She adopted one of her 17-year-old students after years of being unable to have children.
"We had fostered several kids before, and one day this girl came into my classroom, and it was like I was drawn to her, and I couldn't see my life without her. I said, 'OK Lord, I heard you,'" Adams said.
She would have twins 10 years later and learned to balance school, teaching, writing and taking care of her family.
Adams began writing “The Last Realm Weaver,” an epic fantasy, as a way to express her creativity and as a reflection of her own life. Her protagonist, Cassie, is capable of bending and manipulating the cosmic "Weave" that holds existence and hidden worlds together.
Like Cassie, Adams has pushed through personal struggles and has learned to grow through them.
"It's more about dealing with those everyday struggles, and her character actually mimics me a lot. In some of the struggles that she had, trying to deal with them and trying to realize that it doesn't matter how much power you have in the end because you still have to overcome it," Adams said. "As hard as it has been, you just have to give it to God."
In 2021, however, her writing came to a standstill when her parents passed away and she slipped into deep grief.
"I was in the middle of writing it and I just stopped. I had to find myself again, and I couldn't do that. I had to go back and forth with God and myself to realize He had a plan," Adams said.
After a while, she sat behind the computer again.
"When I sat down to write it, I was able to write the whole series. It just came to me. But that's not on me. That was all God."
After self-publishing her work, she found success and won the 2026 International Impact Book Award.
New York Weekly praised Adams, saying, "It is a rare marriage of literary grace and raw, propulsive storytelling,"
This semester, Adams didn't know if she was ready to go back to the classroom as a student but decided that going back would not only benefit her as an intellectual but as a veteran teacher.
"I've been in it for a long time. I've seen how students were and what they are now as well as what teachers are now versus 20 years ago. There's a big gap between then and now, and if I can fill those gaps, I will," Adams said.
When deciding on GCU, her decision came down to what GCU stood for. Adams said, "It was the character development and the integrity. This school drew me in because even though I have been to plenty of brick-and-mortar schools, and I've been one in a class of 250, being able to be around people who share the same beliefs was a huge thing for me, and I haven't regretted it."
She was ready for the rigorous task of taking on another master's degree and hasn't taken off the table the potential for going back for more.
"It was a lot, and it's still a lot. I mean, I'm just like everyone else. I may have degrees and plenty of other accomplishments, but I struggle just like everyone else," Adams said.
She explained that balancing her day is important to her and always finds time to do things she loves while always staying two weeks ahead in her classes.
She hopes that through her work she can inspire those around her to make a positive change in their own lives.
"I may not be able to weave worlds like my character can, but I can get up every day and take care of my own world, and that's magic."
Jessica Walters, a student writer with GCU News, can be reached at [email protected].
