Robinson: ‘I know I’m making a difference in changing their lives’
Rodney Robinson began working in the security department at Clarke Central High School ten years ago.
Today, he serves as one of the school’s two Site Coordinators.
FC-CIS sat down with Rodney to discuss what he and his partner accomplished in their first year and how he feels about the students he calls his “kids.”
FC-CIS: What drew you to education, Rodney?
RODNEY: I like helping people and connecting the dots, so since I was helping a lot of students in the building in the security role, they felt like I’d be a good fit as a Site Coordinator. I really feel like I am. We’ve accomplished a lot when it comes to helping students graduate.
FC-CIS: You’ve mentioned how beneficial the training classes provided by FC-CIS have been in educating you on resources. How does that help?
RODNEY: Athens has a lot of support systems, and I know about a lot of them, so I’ve been able to help a lot of students get the support they need.
FC-CIS: What kind of support do you offer students outside of the classroom?
RODNEY: A lot of them have basic needs like food and clothing- so we put a food and clothing closet together at the school, and that’s working very well. A lot of have issues with academics, and we have after-school programs. Most of the students on my caseload are encouraged to participate. That’s what helps a lot of them keep their grades up. We have great social workers, so we support in the area of mental health. Also, eyeglasses or hearing problems- we deal with those too.
FC-CIS: The food and clothing closet that the Site Coordinators manage has been an incredible resource. How do you feel about it?
RODNEY: A lot of times, you have students who need food, clothing, and they know they have a place to come to get a little bag of what they need to take home. And that’s one less thing they have to worry about, so they can focus more on academics.
FC-CIS: Do you feel like you’re making a difference?
RODNEY: I know I’m making a difference in changing their lives. One of my students was struggling to graduate, and he ended up graduating. The parent was like, ‘You were a big part of this and I appreciate you working with my son and being patient.’ I already know it makes a big difference.
To learn more about Rodney’s experiences and the Clarke Central Food and Clothing bank, please watch the video.
For more information on Site Coordinators, please visit the Site Coordinator page.