(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights new East Marion Elementary Principal Chase Robbins.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Hattiesburg at Forrest General Hospital Dec. 12, 1990.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: After high school at West Marion, I did my undergrad at Southern Miss then my master’s at William Carey.
Q: What was your childhood like?
A: It was awesome. Mom, Melinda, and dad, Charles Ray, were hardworking, and nothing was ever really given to us. We learned the value of work. Dad farmed, and that’s how I was raised in a very country-esque lifestyle. My grandparents, Charles and Marvel Ann, weren’t very far from us, so we saw them every day. I grew up with my brother, Christian, and he went on to play basketball at USM, so that was a big part of our lives. Just really was a small-town, Southern, typical kid that works with his mom and dad. I started working at a gas station when I was 15, went to Hattiesburg for a little while and then came back.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I am the principal at East Marion Elementary. My job will really be interacting with teachers and kids, making sure teachers have everything they need and supported, making sure the school looks good and runs well, making sure our instruction is of the highest quality and making sure the kids are engaged. Then just typical maintenance things from here and there and a lot of interaction.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: My mom has worked in the school system as an assistant and secretary, and she had a lot to do with it. I had a handful of teachers who helped. In the long run, it wasn’t something I was really interested in doing. But as I got older, I realized I really just wanted to help people. My aunt, Marcy, was disabled from a very young age and before special education was ever really a thing. She grew up without any education whatsoever, almost helpless: She can’t read, can’t write and is in a nursing home right. She’s conscious and has a social life, but she missed out on so much because there wasn’t anyone there to educate her. I think that played a role in me following that path.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Interacting with kids. When C-P Managing Editor Mark Rogers came by to interview me, I walked by three kids and gave them all high fives. As a teacher you have to make a lot of micro decisions in your classroom, and you don’t see as many kids, but you’re with them longer. In this role you see more kids but in short bursts. That’s kind of cool to see those kids and interact with them for that short amount of time. I love that about it.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: As anybody who’s new, I don’t proclaim to know everything. There’s a learning curve to everything. That’s going to be the constant challenge I’m learning every day. Every day.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering your career path?
A: I’d tell them just to go for it. Interacting with those kids every day and getting to know them, that’s what makes all the rest of it worthwhile regardless of what you see the state doing to education or regardless of what you see in the media about educators. Those high fives and hugs make it irreplaceable. My advice is to trust their gut because they won’t regret it.
Q: What was your first job?
A: My first job was at Grant’s off of Old Highway 35 South.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My mom and dad. When you think about your mom and dad, they were such examples of hard workers, and they protected my brother and I from a lot of things. Once I became an adult I realized that, and that put them in a new light. That has a lot to do with an educator, especially in 2018, because they have an added role as both an educator and protector. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does she do for a living?
A: Kristen. She is a kindergarten teacher at Oak Grove Primary.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I’m a big pizza fan, probably with pepperoni. I’m simple.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’ve always wanted to go to London.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I love fantasy football. I wish I could say I keep up with the NBA, but I only really keep up with it when it’s the Finals. Every now and then I’ll read a little bit. I do love “The Office.” I’ve watched it so much it may be considered a hobby. I think I’m on my eighth time watching it. Every now and then I’ll play some video games or board games, but it’s really just sports for me.
Q: What do you enjoy working in Columbia?
A: I actually live in Oak Grove, but I’ve never really felt like an outsider. It feels like home.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: Robin Williams. Despite his end, he was probably one of the most iconic and intelligent actors of all time. I think about his funny roles, but for me I think more about his serious roles in “Good Will Hunting,” “Bicentennial Man” and “What Dreams May Come.” A lot of his more serious roles were as good as his funny ones. He always played his part well. I’d like to get an idea of what that guy thinks and how he thought, and who the real him was.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I’d have to work. I couldn’t just sit and do nothing. I’d like to think I’d be doing something in education. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still come to work.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: Watch a good movie. I do love books, but I’ve gotten to a point with movies and cinematography that I like the effects and seeing things unfold on screen. A lot of the Marvel movies were ahead of their time with the cinematography, and it was just an experience. It’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: I thought I was going to go to law school. When I met my wife, she was going to be a teacher. We were decided we were going to get married, and that kind of decided this whole thing. I knew I had to make a decision that if I wanted to be with her law school wouldn’t work. I made that choice, and I think that may be the best choice I’ve ever made.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: I would love to write a book one day. That would be pretty cool. When I was in college several of my elective hours were toward fiction writing, and I always kind of enjoyed the modern era.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Loyalty, courage and consistency.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I’ve always kind of been the funny guy, and my mom and dad would just shake their heads when I would make jokes with my brother. That old adage goes: You don’t remember what people say about you, but it was more about what you made them feel. That bleeds into education. I want to be remembered as someone who cared and helped. That’s why I do this.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Chase Robbins, principal at East Marion Elementary, said making the decision to forego law school to marry his wife was the best choice he ever made. It helped drive him toward education. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
