Robin Priest

Math Teacher

ROBIN

PRIEST’S GPS TEACHING

CAREER began in 1998, the same year the iMac was released, Titanic swept the box office, Google was founded, and Furbies were the must-have toy. Much has changed since then, but her consistent, kind presence in the classroom has never waivered.

Priest has worked alongside memorable faculty and administrators such as Rita Wilson, her first department chair, and Rickie Pierce. “Rita created a family environment within the math department,” Priest recalls. “As a new teacher to GPS, and later a new mother, I sought her advice on many occasions.” Less than a decade later, Courtney Alexander would become a student in her classroom, and neither could have suspected Courtney would one day return to teach at her alma mater and become Priest’s last department chair.

Some of Priest’s favorite GPS moments include Chapels, where Pierce would address the student body. “She was such an eloquent storyteller and often recited long passages of writings from memory,” Priest says. Other colleagues added to the joy she experienced over the years. “Each administration challenged us to think about education differently but provided support and professional development. I loved working with my colleagues. We pushed each other to be the best we could be in the classroom—shared ideas, brainstormed best practices, supported one another during personal events in our lives. I could always count on their help if I needed something. Twenty-five years has gone by very quickly.”

Along with helping girls learn math, and oftentimes learn to love math, Priest guided them as the sponsor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and saw her own daughter, Meg, graduate GPS in 2020. She says she will miss her colleagues and students, particularly at Commencement when her former students take the stage to receive their diplomas. “It is wonderful to witness their growth through the years, and I am always so proud of their accomplishments,” she says. “I am often amazed at all they do—with extracurricular activities and academics—yet they continue to push themselves and strive to meet their goals day after day.”

Priest will go on to teach math at the elementary school level and hopes her legacy is one of being a kind and fair teacher who was dependable and an expert in her field yet could laugh at herself. “I truly wanted every girl to succeed and tried very hard to help them reach their goals in my class.”

“ Numerous students have been lucky enough to experience Robin’s academic knowledge and encouraging patience in the classroom. I’m one of the luckiest, getting to transition from calling her Ms. Priest, my seventh-grade math teacher, to Robin, my trusted colleague. She is consistently willing to share her expertise with colleagues, adapt to the needs of her students, and brainstorm ways to make sure we are preparing each student in our classrooms. She always works hard and is there for her students, providing support outside of class and forming strong relationships through Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have no doubt that Robin will continue to touch the lives of those she interacts with, and her collegiality and expertise will be missed.”

—COURTNEY ALEXANDER MEISSNER ’08, CHAIR OF THE MATH DEPARTMENT