I am Robin Pfluke. I am a teacher. I am a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a southerner, and so much more. After a childhood colored by Georgia clay, I attended Georgia Southern University where I played softball and completed the requirements to become a certified Health and Physical Education instructor. Once I completed my degree, I moved to Hilton Head Is., S.C. where I got my first teaching job. I spent the next nine years teaching high school PE classes and coaching (JV and Varsity basketball and a short stint as a soccer coach). While teaching in South Carolina, I learned the vast benefits of good discipline procedures and the effectiveness of peer teaching and I learned quickly. In all the semesters I taught at Hilton Head High, I never had a class size smaller than 35. Most of my classes contained 45 – 50 students and one possessed a whopping 63. To be honest, I was thrilled when I moved to New York and was hired by Rush-Henrietta School District to teach Health. I was a tad burned out on the Physical Education role as a teacher – I needed to do more teaching and less babysitting. Now starting my fifth year at Roth Middle School, I have settled quite nicely into the Health teacher position and am the first one to sign-up to sponsor after school activities that allow me to have the “hands on” opportunities with the kids. I can usually be found on the basketball court during Activity Night or on the dance floor doing a worm contest during school dances. The one aspect of my career that I am most proud of is the fact that I love what I do and everyone from the kids to my co-workers to my family knows it.
When asked why I moved to New York, I respond consistently with “Because I wanted better for my family”. I wanted my kids Tobias and Nolynne (pictured above) to have opportunities I never had. My husband grew up in Henrietta and often spoke of all the experiences he had educationally, athletically, and so on and I wanted the same for my kids. I also wanted a descent salary and good insurance and a nice retirement, which I did not have in South Carolina. I would say that grad school is really the only down side to the move and I only say that because it takes time away from my kids. But this too will soon pass. I will take my last two requirements in the spring. YAY!
I hope this gives you a little insight on who I am and where I am coming from. Still craving more details? Here are a few more facts:
· I live in Henrietta and still have a very difficult time driving in snow.
· I love reading stories about vampires.
· I love to dance with my kids.
· I taught break dancing to kids at the middle school where I work.
