Staff Spotlight: Robin Tekieli

by Amy Haggerty

Patient and caring Robin Tekieli has worked 21 years for Stockbridge Schools. Now during the day, Tekieli works with special needs children in Nicole Borowy’s classroom at Heritage School. Afternoons and evenings, she works with the Kids Club program.

Tekieli has two adult children, 35-year-old Brian Klovski and Joseph Tekieli, 25 years old. She has been married to Joe Tekieli for 26 years, and they live in the Stockbridge area. She recently became grandmother to granddaughter, Bea, whom Tekieli describes as the sunshine of her life. Bea lives in California, but spent time with Tekieli this past summer.

Before coming to work at Stockbridge Schools, Tekieli owned her own childcare service in her home. There, she watched children for family and friends. One of her former sweetest jobs involved working in a bakery where she was a cake icer. She said, “My job was to prepare cakes by icing them for the decorators.”

Tekieli credits her mother as the greatest influence on her life. “She was a wonderful, loving, sacrificial mother to us,” Tekieli said, adding that she was blessed with a mother who didn’t work outside of the home. “She was an excellent cook and taught me a lot about how to make something out of nothing. She made our house a home, and that’s a wonderful feeling.”

Tekieli attributes her love of children as the main reason she jumped at the opportunity to work at Stockbridge Schools. She emphasized the importance of “putting family first,” and working for the school district enabled her to find employment outside the home yet balance family obligations, an important credo that guides her life.

“I have always had a soft spot for children that struggle in life,” she said. “I feel blessed to have hopefully helped them through some difficulties.” Tekieli feels it is important to let children know you care about them and to give them a chance to make things right without bringing up their past missteps. “Making mistakes is part of life,” she said, “and learning from them will make you a better person.”

Teacher Borowy described Tekieli as having a heart of gold, and as a person who always goes above and beyond to help children feel successful. “She is patient and kind to every student she interacts with,” Borowy said. “She is truly a superhero!”

“I am thankful for the many years I’ve worked at Stockbridge Schools,” Tekieli said, “and for the opportunity to work alongside some pretty amazing people.”

Photo caption: Teacher Nicole Borowy described Robin Tekieli (pictured above) as having a heart of gold, and as a person who always goes above and beyond to help children feel successful. “She is patient and kind to every student she interacts with,” Borowy said. “She is truly a superhero!”