Third grade teacher Kristie Robinson is Oak Grove Elementary School's 2018-19 Teacher of the Year. Described by her peers as a model teacher, Robinson has been with the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District since 2009.
Fellow Oak Grove teacher Christy Young said Robinson is "one of the most impressive people I have known.
"Students love her because she is kind, loving and gets to know each one of her students," Young said. "Her highest priority as an educator is to serve the needs of her students."
Young said instead of seeing the challenges of the ever-changing educational system, Robinson embraces them, learns from them, and adapts her curriculum and instruction to meet her students' needs.
Robinson graduated in 2000 from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. In 2007, she earned a Master of Education in elementary administration with a cumulative 4.0 grade point average, according to her resume.
This is the first year she has been recognized as a TOY.
Jerri Ann Rowland's daughter is currently a student in Robinson's class. Rowland wrote a letter of recommendation to the TOY committee in which she described Robinson as a "confident, intelligent and insightful educator."
"I am truly blessed for my daughter to be in Mrs. Robinson's third grade classroom this year," Rowland wrote. "She has the talent of being able to see exactly what each child brings to the classroom and her teaching approach allows her to empower her students to overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept."
Ashley Blume, who is one of Robinson's peers to officially nominate her for TOY, said she is also a leader in the curriculum.
"Kristie Robinson often leads our team in finding meaningful and rigorous materials for use," Blume said. "She is always researching to find the best curriculum and supplemental materials and never hesitates to share those with others."
Kirstyn Millner is a former student of Robinson. She penned a letter to the committee on the teacher's behalf commending Robinson's impact on her education.
"One of the things that I love about Mrs. Robinson is that she always has a big smile on her face," Millner said. "Even if she's having a bad day, you can never tell because she has a good attitude regardless."
Millner said Robinson is "extremely creative," and is always focused on making learning fun for her students, but also has "a loving heart toward everyone she comes into contact with."
"I still have some things from her class that I will forever keep," said Millner, who is now in junior high. "One thing I still have is an affirmation that I received from her and I have it hanging up on my wall so that I will see it every day."SClB