Generations of Inspiration

In February, The Scituate Mariner honored a very special member of the community by announcing Mr. Robert Corbin as the Citizen of the Year. Mr. Corbin has been teaching since January of 1954, signing his first contract to teach in Scituate in August of 1957. This June marks his 59th year working and volunteering in the Scituate Public School System.

Even as a kindergarten student, Mr. Corbin felt a passion for history, which eventually came to be his favorite subject. Mr. Corbin still remembers his elementary school teachers, saying he can recite all of their names and picture them in his head. One teacher who especially stands out in his mind is his first grade teacher, Ms. Russell, whom he remembers as always being with the students and never behind her desk. Mr. Corbin noted that he admired the interactive way Ms. Russell taught. “She impressed me from the time that I was just a little, chubby kid in first grade,” he said.

Mr. Corbin started teaching in Scituate as a sixth grade teacher at Jenkins School, where he taught from 1957-1963. He then moved to the junior high and taught there until 1971, when he transferred to Scituate High School. In 1983, he returned to teach middle school at Gates Intermediate School until he retired in 1994. Mr. Corbin explained his favorite part of teaching has been dealing with different people every single day, and his fondest memories are from the “B” section of Gates School. He considers 1964-1967 his “greatest years” of education, citing the strong administrative team, especially the “marvelous” principal and the vice-principal who was a “strong disciplinary figure.”

Former students credit Mr. Corbin with making history come alive. According to Eileen Casey, “History was never my favorite subject, but I loved that class because he taught it. He was really a fantastic teacher.” According to SHS English teacher Catherine Hall, “Mr. Corbin was a beloved teacher at SHS in the ’70s.” “One of the favorite courses among students at the time was a course about American presidents. Everyone wanted to take it because he did such a great job,” she said. Contributors to a Facebook page dedicated to Mr. Corbin shared their insights: “A wonderful, positive, motivational role model for all of Scituate” reflects the sentiments of many former students who contributed to the page.

Today, Mr. Corbin can be seen volunteering his time at Gates School in Mr. Gillespie’s 8th grade history classroom, where he will be appearing as “Roberto Corbini” during a Renaissance unit. “I encourage his contribution in my classroom, and he frequently signals me when he wants to make a point for the kids,” said Gillespie. “There have even been times when I have stepped aside to become his volunteer as he takes over the reins of the class,” he said. Gates Principal Ryan Lynch expressed his gratitude for Mr. Corbin’s time and generosity. “There are things that you can commit yourself to that are important, and you should volunteer yourself for, and that’s inspiring for students and staff,” Mr. Lynch said. When asked about Mr. Corbin being named the Citizen of the Year, Mr. Lynch said, “I don’t think you could find anybody who’s more deserving for the award but less comfortable with the honor.”  

Mr. Corbin has been an inspiration for thousands of students who have passed through his classroom, and his impact has transcended generations. Former students who are in their 60s and 70s — to current students who are just 13 and 14-years-old — share an appreciation for his passion and teaching. “I look at life like a kaleidoscope,” he said. “As you turn it, you get a different picture. That’s what life and teaching has been for me.” Looking around the Gates classroom where The Scituation spoke to him, Mr. Corbin reflected, “This is where my heart is — right here in this building.”