“I think it’s safe to say a lot of my high school teachers would be absolutely shocked that I’m in this position,” he said with a laugh. “I wasn’t the best student. I was really antsy, and I would openly question, ‘Why don’t you teach this in a more interesting way?’”
It was that frustration and desire to do it better that led Robb to become a teacher and push the boundaries in his own classroom. And since having children of his own, that desire has increased tenfold, he said.
“I want to make a better system for my girls to go through when they get to the high school age. I want them to have a high school experience that’s full-on engaging, where they’re actually making a difference and learning that way.”
Robb is one of 20 teachers from across the province who received an Excellence in Teaching award last Saturday, May 25, in Edmonton. He was nominated for the award by Sandy Cox, Magda Mahler and Principal Mark Crozier, all of whom were with him at the award gala.
Also in attendance was Paulette Blanchette-Dube, a teacher who Robb credits as one of his mentors.
Blanchette-Dube taught him that putting students off balance can force them to learn in a new way.
And it’s that approach of challenging students and empowering them to overcome those challenges that Robb has embraced, defying everything he was taught in teacher’s college. “I think I’ve successfully torn down the boundary between the idea of an all-knowing teacher at the front of the room and the students on the other side.
“Instead we share experiences and we share learning together and often that’s when the good stuff happens,” he said.
Robb is the creator of the seven-year-old Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth and the three-year-old Sustainability class.
Through those opportunities, Robb has thrust Jasper students into the limelight. They’ve presented at sustainability conferences in Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash., where they’ve received standing ovations from crowds as large as 1,000 people.
They’ve hosted green building conferences in Jasper, pressured the provincial government to value youth input and taken part in the design process for the new high school, which is currently under construction. Because of all the attention they’ve received—and the challenges they faced trying to convince the province to build a net-zero school—a Seattle-based sustainable designer chose the club to be the recipients of a self-sustaining modular classroom, the first of its kind.
“I think that people have underestimated what a high school student can accomplish, especially when you give them a bit of confidence and a bit of momentum,” said Robb, adding that by giving his students opportunities to be engaged community members, they are breaking down those perceptions together.
“They jump right in and they’re learning how to be active citizens. They’re learning more about community and the importance of playing a role in that community and I think they’re gaining a critical perspective, as well.”
Although all of that is true, and although Robb is responsible for a lot of that growth, it’s not easy for him to accept recognition.
“I had a principal from another school email me and congratulate me, saying ‘Whenever this happens, it’s a credit to the community because the people in your community have nurtured what you’re doing and supported it,’ and that is exactly the case.
“I’ve had a lot of support.”
The Excellence in Teaching award is given to teachers and principals who demonstrate creativity and innovation in Alberta’s classrooms. Robb was selected from more than 100 short-listed teachers.
