School system posthumously honors Madison High's Robinson as Principal of the Year

MARSHALL - Though former Madison High principal David Robinson died of a stomach aneurysm Jan. 25, the multitalented man continues to reap the rewards of a life devoted to service and stewardship.

During the Madison County Board of Education's Sept. 26 meeting, the school system administration announced Robinson had been recognized by Madison County Schools' six principals as the 2022-23 Principal of the Year.

"We cherish the memory of Dr. Robinson, and there is not a day that goes by that we don’t think about him, his leadership and his dedication to students," Superintendent Will Hoffman said. "David’s memory continues to challenge our school district with a simple question that keeps us all moving forward: 'What are you going to do with the time that you are given?' I believe that David would answer saying, 'Do something and whatever that "Something" is do it with clear eyes and full hearts.'"

Robinson's wife, Wanda, accepted the award from Hoffman and Assistant Superintendent Lisa Gahagan.

"This is a well deserved honor for the man who dedicated his life to the school system," Wanda Robinson said. "We are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love we have received from so many people in this county and from all over the state of N.C. David never realized the tremendous impact he had on countless lives. The best way to honor him and his legacy is to strive to make our schools the best they can be, love the children and make good things happen. Always move forward, live, laugh, love and have a beautiful, full life. So let’s make it happen."

Robinson's daughter, Audra Robinson Adams, was also on hand at the meeting to accept the award. Robinson Adams celebrated her father's award in a Facebook post after the meeting Sept. 26.

"It’s still so surreal for me to hear things about my Dad 'In his memory' or 'In honor of him,'” Robinson Adams said. "It’s so strange. I expected to see his bright, contagious smile appear at the meeting, like he was just meeting us all there, but he wasn’t. I know he would have been so beaming with pride when Lisa was reading off the growth the Madison County School System has received the last year. That was what was important to my dad, knowing his students and teachers were successful. He wanted the very best for each child he encountered. He would push them to become better, not only in academics, but in every aspect of their lives. His love and burden for the young people was present in everything he had done. He shared not only his wisdom and intelligence, but most importantly his love for Christ. That was what made my Dad, Dr. David Robinson, who he was. He was larger than life. What a guy.

"'Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose,'" Robinson Adams continued in the post, referencing a "Friday Night Lights" saying popularized by her father and their family. "I love you so much Dad, and I miss you more every single day."

Former Mars Hill Elementary Principal Marshay Huskins was honored as the district's 2021-22 Principal of the Year. Huskins' husband, Kevin, was brought on as Madison High principal this summer.

While working as principal at Mountain Heritage, Huskins said he and Robinson often collaborated and exchanged ideas, and formed a strong friendship throughout their years working as principals at the respective schools.

"Being high school principals and having the amount of free time we had, we talked regularly, probably a few times a semester," Huskins said. "Dr. Robinson was a phenomenal man, and he was certainly a great advocate for students. He and I bounced ideas off each other all the time about what we were doing at each other's schools."

Teachers of the Year

Also during the meeting, the school board and administration honored six teachers as Teachers of the Year at their schools.

Madison High's Rachael Ray was awarded the 2022-23 District Teacher of the Year Award.

Joy Allen was recognized as Brush Creek Elementary's Teacher of the Year.

Alisha King was honored as Hot Springs Elementary's Teacher of the Year.

Mars Hill Elementary School's 2022-23 Teacher of the Year was awarded to Megan McKinney.

Cristy Price was recognized as Madison Middle's Teacher of the Year.

Linda Ammons' peers recognized her as Madison Early College High School's 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.

According to Hoffman, Robinson's Principal of the Year plaque will hang in Central Office.

"Dr. Robinson and I spoke many times about growing up in this community and I think he always felt, as I do, that he was given a great gift by growing up in Madison County," Hoffman said. "He always wanted his students to know, even though they may not have realized it yet, that someday they would look back on this place, having been educated here in their formative years, this experience of lasting friendships and academic challenge as a great advantage."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison schools posthumously honors Robinson as Principal of the Year