Robotham said she wasn’t necessarily looking for a change from her role as an instructional coach at Wyoming Public Schools, but she found the opportunity to be intriguing and interesting.
“I’ve always heard really good things about the district and the staff here. I think this is going to be a good fit for me. I already know Kim and I think we will work great together,” said Robotham.
By the time she was in high school at Grand Rapids Public Schools, Robotham said she knew she wanted to be a teacher. At that time, her own teachers and advisors were encouraging her to pursue a different career. “I listened to them and went to Michigan State University for a degree in zoology. After working for a while in a lab setting, I decided I still really wanted to be a teacher, so I went back to school at Aquinas to get my teaching degree.”
It’s a decision Robotham says she hasn’t regretted. She taught chemistry and advanced placement chemistry classes at Wyoming Public High School and science in the Middle School from 2001-2014. Then she moved into her role as an instructional coach at Wyoming from 2014-2024.
She believes her wealth of knowledge of teaching and coaching teachers will benefit her greatly in her new role at TK. “I know what it’s like in the classrooms and I understand what teachers are facing.”
Even though her field of teaching was in science, she said “Good instruction is good instruction. It can be applied to all subjects.”
While at Wyoming, she helped integrate technology into classrooms in meaningful ways. “I’m passionate about having systems in place to move us forward and being intentional about those systems and actually using them.”
She’s excited that TK has already started the Professional Learning Community process which she thinks could be a game changer for teachers. She also has extensive knowledge of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports and will continue working to improve the ways TK uses MTSS.
“It’s a good system already in place here at TK, but are we using it to its full potential?” she asked.
Building a solid foundation with all the secondary teachers and administrators is a top priority for Robotham as she starts her career at TK. “I want to know who everyone is and I want them to know I want to be a partner with them.”
She said she will be listening to teachers and what types of issues they are having. “I just want to be here to support them. I’m ready to dig in. I want to help teachers, which in turn, then helps our students.”
She and her husband, Chris, live in Alto and have three grown children: Carson, Carly and Kait.
What Would Your Perfect Day Be: “I would probably spend my day making things - sewing, embroidery, 3D printing, laser engraving - just anything creative. Or I would do nothing and sit by the pool.”
Favorite Book: “We are Not From Here” by Jenny Torres Sanchez. I like historical fiction and I do a lot of educational reading as well.”
Favorite Music: “Current: Ed Sheeran, old school Bon Jovi. I like whatever my kids are listening to. I like it because they like it.”
Best Vacation: “Cruises to any place warm and tropical. Also, one of my favorite family vacations was a Make-A-Wish trip with my family to Disney for my daughter who has epilepsy.”
Favorite Food: “Mexican - but Americanized Mexican. I like Mexican food but without the heat.”
One Superpower She Would Like to Have: “Invisibility. I would sometimes just like to be a fly on the wall.”
Hobbies: “I like animals. We have two cats, two dogs, chickens and geese; I like sewing, making things, walking, just being outside.”