Gibb, Robert Lynn

by: Martin Gilbert

Name: Robert Lynn Gibb
Department: Social Studies
Education: Walter Johnson High School (class of '79), Connecticut Collage ('83), Teaching Degree at UMD ('88)
Year started at Blair: 1988
Previous Jobs: Landscaping, Masonry, Carpentry, Printing, Outdoor Education
Came to Blair in: Student Teacher ('88), Full Teacher ('89)Hobbies: Soccer, Singing (in a Band), Yard Work, Reading
Extracirricular activities: Boys Varsity Lacrosse, Girls Varsity Soccer

Similarities between Boys lacrosse and Girls soccer are few and far between, but one history teacher can bridge the gap. Robert Lynn Gibb coaches both of these teams, while also teaching SPARC US History and AP European History.

Robert Gibb

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Gibb attended high school in Montgomery County and college in Conneticut. He received his teaching degree from the University of Maryland and student taught at Montgomery Blair.

Gibb decided to become a teacher largely because he enjoys working with young people. He enjoys listening to students and views being a teacher as challenging. However, Gibb had other reasons for becoming a teacher. "What else are you gonna do with a history degree?" he said jokingly.

Gibb decided to come to Blair primarily because of the freedoms that are granted to the staff. He feels that the Blair administration "lets teachers teach," and that this brand of freedom is unique among many high schools.

Gibb is passionate about teaching, and works hard to bring out the potential in each and every student. He believes that mutual respect is the key to developing students abilites both within the classroom and without. Once there is respect, the student gains interest, and the rest just seems to "fall into place."

Gibb has a wife, Jane, and a daughter, Kinsey, who is in the third grade at Sligo Creek Middle School. He met Jane on a blind date at a "murder mystery" party. They have been happily married since 1991.

As a child, Gibb had many models. He was a big Redskins fan, and loved Sonny Jergenson. Other models included the famous soccer player Pelé and the painter Michalangelo.

Above all else, Gibb loves coaching. He coaches Girls Varsity soccer and Boys Varsity lacrosse. He feels that each team is "unique, with their own personality", and that he wouldn't trade coaching at Blair for any other school under any circumstances.

Gibb is very content with his present situation, and claims he has no regrets and if given the option he wouldn't change a thing. He feels that its "easy to look back," but he has "tried to make the best decisions [he could have made] at the time." Gibb anticipates keeping his present profession until retirement, or at least "until functional tests suck the life out of the job."