Students, Parents Recognize Remarkable Teacher from Geist

As students and teachers look forward to summer break, we name our final atGeist Teacher of the Month for the 2008-09 school year. Instead of relying on accolades from administrators, this time we sought a teacher who has been consistently commended by parents and students.

We enlisted the help of the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Each year, the foundation offers an opportunity to honor an outstanding educator by making a contribution in his or her name to the LTSF Grant Fund, which supports creative and innovative classroom projects.

Geist resident and Forest Glen Elementary teacher Eve Robertson topped the list of honored educators, receiving six golden apple pins since 2004 (as far back as LTSF has records). Robertson’s apple tree, however, shows that she’s collected at least nine apples since she began teaching in Lawrence Township six years ago. (Other top teachers included Lisa Collins, Brook Park Elementary; Krista Nelson, Forest Glen Elementary; and Amalie Niednagel, Indian Creek Elementary.)

What makes Mrs. Robertson so great? Let’s hear from her students.

“She inspires me the way she teaches,” says fifth-grader Michael Walters. “She’s awesome!”

“She’s just really nice,” says Abigail Benzinger, another student who gave Mrs. Robertson a golden apple. “Of all my past teachers, she’s one of the best of them, even since preschool and kindergarten.”

Because Robertson switched from teaching fourth grade to fifth last fall, some of her students have been lucky enough to have her two years in a row. That was the case for Kevin Mattingly, who says, “She makes learning fun. She thinks up creative ways to do things.”

Although Robertson says she can’t sing a lick, she’s been known to break out in song to help her students remember math facts. She also taught them body motions to accompany a lesson on radius and diameter.

“We do a lot of crazy things to get excited,” Robertson explains. It’s OK with her that she has a reputation as being the “fun teacher.” She believes in taking a student-centered approach to learning.

“Mrs. Robertson is one of the most reflective, hard working teachers I have ever known,” Forest Glen Principal Danielle Shockey said. “She takes her role as an educator to heart and seeks out every resource possible to bring learning to life to all children in her classroom.”

The day I visited Mrs. Robertson’s class, they were fittingly engrossed in research for a newspaper project. Newspapers lined the floor as “movie critics” analyzed the reviews and young advice columnists perused “Dear Abby.” Others were interviewing classmates about their recent field trip to JA Biz Town.

“We got to experience being adults when we’re only 10 and 11 years old,” gushed Olivia Davis.

Robertson loves field trips so much that she runs a summer camp called “Field Trips Galore” through Lawrence Township’s Enrichment Summer School. This fun camp for kids in grades 1-8 allows them to explore something new every day. Their agenda includes a candy factory, Indianapolis Power & Light and even Krispy Kreme.

“That’s the best part of summer!” says Robertson, who comes from a long line of teachers dating back to her great-grandmother.

Teaching summer camp and sponsoring after-schools clubs allows Robertson to connect with students on a less academic level. At Forest Glen, she sponsors the Volleyball Club and Student United Nations (SUN), which organizes several charitable fundraisers throughout the year, including a Giving Snowman at Christmas time. This year, the group raised $300 for the Humane Society by selling scented pencils and $600 for various other charities by organizing “crazy days.”

“They’re just so driven and motivated; it’s very exciting to see their love for helping others,” Robertson said.

When Robertson is away from her “kids” at school, you may see her jogging along Oaklandon Road near Windsong, where she lives with husband Sam. While she doesn’t consider herself a runner, she strives for fitness. She’ll also use the summer months to cultivate new ideas for next year.

Robertson has attended Teacher’s Leadership Academy for budding principals, but she remains undecided about whether to make a move to administration.

“I love teaching so much,” she said. “It would be hard not working with kids every day.”

As atGeist Teacher of the Month, Eve Robertson will receive a gift certificate from our sponsor, Lincoln Square Pancake House in Geist. Congratulations, Mrs. Robertson!