Retired Pocatello Principal Establishes Scholarship
June 21, 2022
From making sure her students and their families had enough to eat to spending one-on-one time to make sure each child felt safe, secure and ready to learn, caring has always been a part of Evelyn Robinson’s life. Now, Robinson, a retired elementary school principal, is empowering the next generation of leaders to do the same with the Evelyn Robinson Principal Leadership Scholarship.
This spring, during Idaho State University’s inaugural Bengal Giving Day, Robinson presented a $25,000 check to the Idaho State University College of Education. The gift establishes a scholarship for College of Education students pursuing graduate degrees in educational leadership.
“It has always been about kids for me,” Robinson said. “As a retired principal, I am excited to support future principals through student scholarships.”
Robinson was born in Pocatello where she attended Whittier Elementary School, Hawthorne Middle School and Pocatello High School. Robinson earned two degrees from Sangamon University and worked in the private sector in Illinois helping to start several private church schools.
In 1982, Robinson, eager to return to Pocatello, took a position teaching first grade at Bonneville Elementary School. While teaching, she received an Educational Administration, Ed.S. Degree from the Idaho State University College of Education. In 1988, she started a 26-year career as principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Pocatello.
During her time as principal, Robinson’s motto was “helping the family, thus helping the children.” She was instrumental in starting the Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack Program that provides food over the weekend to hungry students, opening a food pantry, and even offering mortgage or utility payment help to parents. Her goal was always to ensure her students and their families were safe, secure and taken care of. Robinson retired as principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary School in 2014.
Robinson has been recognized for her outstanding dedication to her students, faculty, and staff throughout her career. In her first year of administration, Robinson received the Idaho Gem Award for Rookie Administrator given by the Idaho Association for Elementary School Principals (IAESP). IAESP then went on to recognize her again in 2006 when she received the Idaho Distinguished Principal Award. Two years later, in 2008 Robinson received the International Delta Kappa Gamma Award. In 2011, Robinson received the Idaho State University Professional Achievement Award for the College of Education.
“I wouldn't trade any of my time in the school for all the awards. I loved being at school with my students,” Robinson said.
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