Robuck appointed as interim assistant principal at KPMS

Teacher making transition to administrative role

Nate Hulings

of the Gateway

Key Peninsula Middle School has a new interim assistant principal, and he’s no stranger to the Peninsula School District.

Ty Robuck, 31, was recommended and approved last Wednesday to fill the vacant position during the district’s Board of Directors meeting at Gig Harbor High School.

Robuck has been teaching in the district for the past nine years. He joined the Discovery Elementary staff in 2000 and taught at Voyager Elementary for four years.

For Robuck, the chance to be an administrator has been years in the making. During the 2007-08 school year, he held an administrative internship at Voyager with Patty McClelland, the school’s principal. Last year, he continued teaching fourth grade at Voyager and held some administrative responsibilities.

“He really did make the transformation from being a confident teacher with a lot of respect and care from parents and students into that administrative role,” McClellan said.

Fresh on the job at KPMS, Robuck said the students and staff have been welcoming and that he’s excited to help in any way he can.

“It’s great,” Robuck said. “You know, I’m learning something new every day, because I’m being asked to try new things.

“You can train for a position, but until you’re really in it — you can’t see it from that side.”

Robuck said that even if the interim position at KPMS doesn’t become a long-term job, he’ll always have a passion for teaching.

“I would like to stay in the position if they need one (assistant principal),” Robuck said. “I enjoy teaching as well.”

A bit of fun

Robuck didn’t get through the school board meeting without a quick jog down memory lane. Jill Uddenberg, District 4 director, shared a personal story about Robuck and his impact more than 10 years ago at a daycare.

In 1998, Uddenberg and her husband purchased Small World Daycare Center. Robuck’s mother, Marsha, was the preschool teacher at the center, and he often would go to visit.

“He would come to read with the kids and was one of the kids’ favorite guest visitors,” Uddenberg said.

His feet were always popular with the kids, she said.

“The thing I remember the most is that Ty always wore flip-flops and would let these little kids paint his toenails,” Uddenberg said. “He was fabulous with the children.”

Reach Reporter Nate Hulings at 253-853-9243 or by e-mail at nate.hulings@gateline.com.