Curriculum Assistance Program for Students (CAPS) department teacher Lee Ann Robins stands in front of a word wall in her classroom on Sept. 8. Robins is teaching American Literature her first year at Clarke Central. “I think all people who teach lit are real passionate about the content,” Robins said. “I like gearing the content toward whatever the students’ needs are.” Photo by Valeria Garcia-Pozo.
By VALERIA GARCIA-POZO – News Editor
Curriculum Assistance Program for Students (CAPS) department teacher Lee Ann Robins was hired for the 2016-17 school year and is a new teacher at Clarke Central High School.
CAPS department teacher Lee Ann Robins is a new addition to the special education team at Clarke Central High School this 2016-17 school year. Although this is her first year teaching students with disabilities, she previously taught for 28 years.
“I felt that after 28 years, you know, it’s time for a change, so the fact that Ms. Yuran offered me the position and that it was special ed and that it was in Athens made it very appealing,” Robins said.
Robins teaches American Literature and collaborates with English department co-chair Ian Altman and English department teacher Ginger Lehmann as well as teachers from the CAPS department in order to meet the needs of her students.
“(Robins) will think about ways that we can support our students who might struggle a little bit with the content, or just need some extra help,” Lehmann said. “She’ll create resources to support those students–maybe a worksheet, or some guiding questions or some kind of structure that will support them in completing whatever the activity is.”
Robins feels that her co-workers in the CAPS department do their jobs well.
“I haven’t been part of a special ed faculty anywhere else, but they seem to be really good at what they do: really, really loving to the students and just a special crowd,” Robins said. “They’re sensitive to students who may be a little bit different and need different materials or different accommodations or something.”
According to Robins, CCHS has been a welcoming environment.
“I love Clarke Central. It’s great. I really, really like it. I love my students. The staff has been so welcoming. There are a lot of things that are new to me,” Robins said. “All of my colleagues are extremely gracious when I go to them and ask them a dumb question. They’re very, very helpful and welcoming.”