Robin Connery: 'The key lies in the real connections we are trying to make with families'

 

Robin Connery

Principal

Marshall Elementary School

George C. Marshall Principal Robin Connery’s passion lies in building the best first experience with school that students can have.

 

“Elementary school is responsible for shaping how students feel about school and I take that responsibility really seriously,” says Robin proudly. Robin challenges herself and the team to ensure that every time a student steps through the school doors that they want to learn more and have positive experiences about school. “We are building their skills and getting them ready for the next level in school, and for everything they want to accomplish in life,” she says.

It was in elementary school as a student that Robin always knew she wanted to be in education. She attended the University of California Santa Barbara and upon graduation worked in a group home. She saw education from the point of view of clients in the group home.

 

“I got to go to the IEPs and see the foster parenting side of education, and that is what drove me to get into education,” says Robin.

 

She earned her teaching credential from California State University Monterey Bay and immediately began teaching 5th grade at Bayview Academy and then George C. Marshall Elementary before being promoted to academic coach. Today Robin is in her sixth year as principal at Marshall.

Her favorite part of teaching is helping students become the person they want to be, the learner they want to be, and help them grow and have an impact on our world.

 

“A big focus is bringing them (students) into the world and into school as readers. We want to build readers. That will serve them a huge purpose in life. We know that reading by 3rd grade is really important,” says Robin. 

Nearly 80 percent of the student body at Marshall Elementary is military-connected. Another priority at the school is building relationships with students and the community. One of the things that is unique about Marshall is that the average length of stay for students is 18 months to two years.

 

“We really focus on making them (students and their families) feel a part of this community even in the short time they are here,” says Robin.

 

The school meets the unique needs of students and their families through programs, such as Anchored for Life, that help with transition. Students design experiences for new students arriving to welcome them. Additionally, under Robin’s leadership, the school highly values parent involvement.

 

“Our biggest movement is to convey a message to parents that our doors are open. We want you in our classrooms volunteering and we want to bring you into the school,” she says. “We have to know what the student and parent experience is in order to better serve and best serve our students. For me one of the biggest components is having the platform to listen to families and to understand their experience and what they want for their student. The key lies in the real connections we are trying to make with families.”

Outside of work, Robin, her husband, and three children, spend a lot of time outdoors. They enjoy camping and water sports.