New LW West Principal Approved By D210 Board of Education

NEW LENOX, IL — Students at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox will have a familiar face in a new role for the 2022-2023 school year. Ted Robbins was approved by the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education during its Feb. 17 meeting to become the school's next principal.

Robbins will become just the second principal of the high school since it opened in 2009. He is replacing current Principal Monica Schmitt, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Robbins currently is the athletic director at Lincoln-Way West. He has a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University.

Robbins has been with Lincoln-Way D210 for more than 20 years. He previously worked as a physical education, health teacher and athletic trainer at Lincoln-Way Central High School during the 2000-2001 school year. In 2002, he became department chair for the P.E., drivers' education and health department, and held that position simultaneously with the assistant athletic director role during the 2004-2005 school year. He then served as assistant athletic director and then athletic director at Lincoln-Way Central prior to being named the athletic director at West when the school opened in 2009, according to information from the District.

Robbins said that his years in physical education and as athletic director have helped prepare him for his new role as principal. He said that both roles require him to frequently interact with the community at large.

"I think dealing with the community is a big part," Robbins said. "When you're the athletic director, you're out there, you're the face of the athletic program, and you're out in the community a lot."

Robbins said he is looking forward to being able to help influence all of the Lincoln-Way West students, not just the ones involved in athletics.

"My arena was the athletic arena, but now being able to expand that culture, the spirit, the climate of West since we opened to help influence the entire student body is exciting," he said.

Robbins acknowledged that the past two-plus years of the pandemic has taken its toll on students, and that "communication is key" in helping students and staff navigate ever-changing COVID-19 safety guidelines to "give them the greatest opportunities."

It won't just be the Lincoln-Way West students who will be the ones learning when Robbins takes over. Robbins said he is excited to spend much of his first year as principal learning about the different departments at the high school that he has not had much interaction with over the years.

To that end, Robbins has already been hard at work planning opening day activities for students, as well as working with Schmitt's "principal's cabinet" of current students to get feedback on what types of events and activities to plan for the coming school year.

"I am extremely excited to move into the principal's role, to continue the great things and great traditions we've had at West since the beginning, and continue to build on them and continue to do great things for our students," Robbins said.