LANETT — Angela Robinson has spent the last 13 years doing what she loves, teaching children.

The fourth grade teacher at W.O. Lance Elementary School said she loves spending her time with her students and when she’s away, misses them.

Over the years she has taught a variety of ages, but it’s the fourth, fifth and sixth graders she really prefers.

“With the older ones you can get more in depth with the material and they understand it better,” she said.

Her favorite topic to teach is the Civil Rights Movement.

“I love brightening their minds and giving them a better view,” she said. “I want them to know how important it is.”

Robinson describes her teaching style as “different,” mostly because she works to relate to her students by building a relationship with them.

“We discuss so much ,” she said. “I love learning what’s happening with them and watching them get more comfortable talking to me.”

Robinson added that her efforts to connect and understand her students is necessary, because at the start of classes they may not understand the material, but as time passes their interest grows.

“I just keep giving because I always want to be in the classroom,” she said.

This love of being with children even extends to Robinson’s home life. She has two biological children, four adopted children and four foster children. Their ages range from 2 to 25.

“I believe you have to have a passion for children,” she said. “I always want to help them. You can’t fix everything, but I try my best. It’s a sad thing to see a sad child.”

One of the current lessons for her students is geometry and Robinson is trying something new.

“We’re using digital cameras to get pictures of angles,” she said. “I’ve made a competition out of it, where the team to get the most pictures wins.”

Robinson thanked Donorschoose.org for helping purchase much of the new technology used in her class, including the digital cameras, tablet computers, etc.

“This allows us to explore new things,” she said. “The kids love it.”

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