In 2021, seventh grade English teacher Robin Lanier’s (‘85) classroom was known for the mysterious sea of fish covering the whiteboard. The thousands of guppies were one of many inside jokes shared by her advisory.
After eight years, Lanier is concluding her time at St. John’s. Following college, Lanier earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and became an attorney. After practicing law for 10 year, she then taught English at Bob Lanier Middle School for five years until she moved to St. John’s in 2017. Although not related to Bob Lanier, she enjoyed allowing her students to believe that she was the “owner” of the school.
Lanier taught seventh grade for seven years before switching to teaching sixth grade last year.
“The administration asked me to move, and I happily went where I was needed. It’s been a really fun challenge,” Lanier said. “It’s a chance to read lots of new books.”
Sophomore Ellie Hasan was in Lanier’s class and advisory in 2021 and appreciated her engaging teaching style.
“In one exercise, she made a mystery game where we went around the class interrogating our fellow students,” Hasan said. “The purpose was to practice literary analysis skills, but it was a really fun, engaging way to do it.”
Hasan still cherishes what she learned from Lanier, even three years later.
“She instilled a love of reading within us and taught me a lot about annotations that specifically prepared me for high school,” she said. “She helped me see them as something enjoyable to do rather than a chore.”
Since 2020, Lanier has also served as a sponsor for the Quiz Bowl Club alongside science teacher Caroline Hendryx and French teacher Juliette Schlauder. The club practices for competitions throughout the year, culminating in the annual Middle School National Championship Tournament held in May.
“I have really loved hosting Wednesday afternoon Quiz Bowl practices and just being a fly on the wall to watch kids having a good time and learning a lot,” she said.
Lanier will spend half the year in upstate New York with her husband, reading books and enjoying the weather with her family. For the other half, she plans to live in Texas, working through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Association and serving as a substitute teacher for the School. The HVLA provides free legal services to low-income families in Harris County.
“The most difficult thing about leaving is the uncertainty about the future,” she said. “I’m very excited about what’s to come, but not having that daily routine of school will be different.”
Lanier looks back on her time at the School with gratitude for her community of faculty and students.
“I hope that when people think of me, they’ll remember me as a model of kindness and a lifelong learner with an interest in reading.
