St. Paul School principal nurtures new generation of students
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Faithful gardeners spend much time and talent to till soil and coax young seedlings to grow tall and true. During his long and illustrious career, William Robbins, the new principal of St. Paul School, Burlington, has proven his commitment to encourage thousands of student seedlings to reach for the sun, and now, the Son.
Robbins earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Trenton in 1972; four years later he was awarded a master’s degree in student personnel services and guidance from the same institution. He later earned certificates for principal/supervisor and school administrator positions.
During his 35 years in public education, Robbins served as chairman of the English department and director of guidance in the Millstone Township school system, and a guidance counselor and assistant principal in Allentown High School, Allentown. He held the principal position in Montgomery Middle School, Skillman, for 17 years.
Robbins did not limit his work to the traditional classroom setting. Throughout his career, he served as dramatics director and choreographer of numerous school musical performances and workshops, and as editor for “Connections” poster magazine.
He retired from public education in Jan. 2012 and was honored by Montgomery Township with a mayoral resolution for his contribution to the arts; his former middle school now boasts the name of William J. Robbins Auditorium.
The academic gardener was not ready to store his tools permanently, however; Robbins continued work as an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College, Trenton, and Burlington County College, Mt. Laurel. He also mentors graduate students at The College of New Jersey who are preparing to be guidance counselors.
But Robbins heard another call that could not be ignored. “I chose to come out of my brief retirement because I decided to take on another career challenge,” Robbins disclosed. “St. Paul is the elementary school in my home town… I believe I have the credentials and the vision to help move the school forward.”
The Robbins family has deep roots in the area; they have been parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, since 1988. Son William, now a senior in college, attended St. Paul’s School from Kindergarten through sixth grades and made his Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at the parish’s St. Paul’s Church worship site. Wife Carolyn, presently a pre-school teacher, worked in St. Paul School as a volunteer computer teacher aide and a maternity leave teacher replacement on the Kindergarten level.
Robbins’s goals for his first year back in the grammar school arena could be echoed by any faithful gardener tending to his bounty. “As principal, I hope to continue and improve upon its record of academic excellence and its culture of caring and spirituality,” he reflected. “St. Paul is a ‘rising star’ and I hope to cultivate and nourish its very special qualities.”[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Saturday, October 26, 2024
E-Editions
Events
Faithful gardeners spend much time and talent to till soil and coax young seedlings to grow tall and true. During his long and illustrious career, William Robbins, the new principal of St. Paul School, Burlington, has proven his commitment to encourage thousands of student seedlings to reach for the sun, and now, the Son.
Robbins earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Trenton in 1972; four years later he was awarded a master’s degree in student personnel services and guidance from the same institution. He later earned certificates for principal/supervisor and school administrator positions.
During his 35 years in public education, Robbins served as chairman of the English department and director of guidance in the Millstone Township school system, and a guidance counselor and assistant principal in Allentown High School, Allentown. He held the principal position in Montgomery Middle School, Skillman, for 17 years.
Robbins did not limit his work to the traditional classroom setting. Throughout his career, he served as dramatics director and choreographer of numerous school musical performances and workshops, and as editor for “Connections” poster magazine.
He retired from public education in Jan. 2012 and was honored by Montgomery Township with a mayoral resolution for his contribution to the arts; his former middle school now boasts the name of William J. Robbins Auditorium.
The academic gardener was not ready to store his tools permanently, however; Robbins continued work as an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College, Trenton, and Burlington County College, Mt. Laurel. He also mentors graduate students at The College of New Jersey who are preparing to be guidance counselors.
But Robbins heard another call that could not be ignored. “I chose to come out of my brief retirement because I decided to take on another career challenge,” Robbins disclosed. “St. Paul is the elementary school in my home town… I believe I have the credentials and the vision to help move the school forward.”
The Robbins family has deep roots in the area; they have been parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, since 1988. Son William, now a senior in college, attended St. Paul’s School from Kindergarten through sixth grades and made his Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at the parish’s St. Paul’s Church worship site. Wife Carolyn, presently a pre-school teacher, worked in St. Paul School as a volunteer computer teacher aide and a maternity leave teacher replacement on the Kindergarten level.
Robbins’s goals for his first year back in the grammar school arena could be echoed by any faithful gardener tending to his bounty. “As principal, I hope to continue and improve upon its record of academic excellence and its culture of caring and spirituality,” he reflected. “St. Paul is a ‘rising star’ and I hope to cultivate and nourish its very special qualities.”[[In-content Ad]]