Robbi Ndebi
- Position: teaches honors chemistry and level chemistry
- Degrees & Alma Mater: bachelor’s degree in elementary education, minor in psychology
- School Activities: Science UIL
- Years at Caney Creek: 3
- Years Teaching: 13
How would other people describe your high-school self?
Probably kind of like a social butterfly, because I got along with pretty much all types of groups.
Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching?
I went to college to get my two-year degree first, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that point after I graduated. It was just general studies, so that was hard for me, because I didn’t know until the last minute what I wanted to do. So, no, not really.
Tell us about how you got into teaching.
I actually had a dream one time when I had just graduated with my two-year degree, and I had to pick a major. I just had a dream that I was a teacher, and it was really fun; I enjoyed it a lot. I was just in the classroom with the students, and they were learning, and it was exciting—it was like a whole school day. So I woke up and thought, I guess I will choose to be a teacher, even though I knew it wouldn’t make a lot of money.
What do you do outside of school for fun? Why?
I like to cook a lot because I love food, and I have a lot of boys that eat a lot. I like to try making new things, new recipes. My favorite recipe is kind of a tie between spaghetti and meatballs and pizza, because I make them homemade, and they just hit home as comfort food. I also like to be outside; I have a nice patio in the back, and we like to hang out there.
What is something you know a weird amount about that isn’t related to something you teach?
I know a lot about astrology. I really like it; I think it’s interesting.
Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.
I think I’m really proud that I was able to, despite being a teacher who doesn’t make that much money, move into a brand new house in a good neighborhood with a good school district, all while having four kids, and do it by myself as a single mom. Being an actual homeowner alone, without a man, I feel like that’s a good point.
Who is someone you are thankful for and why?
I’m going to just say I’m thankful for my dad. He always treated me with love and kindness, and he taught me how to cook—pretty much everything I know how to cook. He taught me all these homemade recipes. In many ways, I was closer to my dad than my mom.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Honestly, even though we always go through struggles—everybody does, especially when you’re young and a teenager—I don’t think I would change anything about it, because I needed all those experiences to become who I am today. So I don’t think I should interfere with my younger self. Maybe just don’t be so hard on yourself.
What do you hope to be remembered for?
I hope to be remembered for being a good mom, first off, and then also for impacting a lot of kids’ lives, because I may be harsh on them, but I really do care about all my students, and it’s important to me to try to do everything I can to help them succeed. I hope they remember that.
What’s on your bucket list?
Travel. I want to go to Italy, and I kind of want to go to really far-out places—not touristy places. I also want to be better at taking care of plants; I’m working on it right now. So I have projects that I try to do.
Favorites
- Food: Spaghetti and meatballs
- Music: 90s R&B rap
- TV Show: “House”
- Movie: “Spirited Away”
- Book: “Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud” by Jonathan Stroud
