This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Robin Black-Vannoy shares her invincible journey leading to her role as the Associate Principle of Student Services. Starting as a school psychologist and undergoing numerous other roles, she has finally landed at BHS taking on her new role while expressing the ups and downs of her experiences so far.

Q: Are you a morning bird or a night owl?

RBV: Definitely a morning bird.

Q: Do you like books or movies more?

RBV: It depends on the book or the movie. I like reading because it’s relaxing and peaceful, but I also like going to the movies because I love popcorn with extra butter and salt on it.

Q: What’s an activity you like to do in your free time?

RBV: I like going outside. Whether it’s hanging out on my deck or hanging out in the backyard in the hammock, I enjoy it. I also enjoy spending time with my family.

Q: Getting more into your teaching career, have you worked in District 220 prior to coming to BHS?

RBV: No, I am new to the district.

Q: Tell me about your career in education.

RBV: I started off as a school psychologist, and I worked in a really big, consolidated school district, where it goes from early childhood through the transition center. I stayed in that district for 10 years. I was a school psychologist, a dean and then a student services administrator. Then I left that district and became a director of special education at a high school. In that same district, I moved to a different school, and I was the director of deans there, before coming here this year.

Q: What do you like best about Barrington High School so far, and why?

RBV: There are so many things that I like. The students are great and friendly and the staff have been so welcoming. It’s hard leaving one school that you know and have relationships with people and coming to a new building, so it’s really nice when people welcome you. Overall, I’ve been really impressed with all the different and unique programs that we offer students.

Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?

RBV: I would definitely visit Africa because I’ve never been and the continent is so large. There are many different countries and groups of people of different nationalities. That would be an amazing trip.

Q: Who’s someone you look up to, and why?

RBV: I look up to a lot of people. My grandmother, both of my parents, people who have overcome adversity to get to where they are today and who have been able to show love in the process.

Q: What’s an important life lesson you’ve learned that you’d recommend to others?

RBV: I would say the one [life lesson] I have hung in my office. It says “no pressure, no diamonds.” Sometimes you have to go through difficult circumstances that are really stressful, and you can come out better on the other end and create something really beautiful than what initially was there.

Q: Lastly, is there anything else you’d like me to know more about you that you didn’t get to mention or anything you’d like to elaborate on?

RBV: I’m really excited to be here, I would like to get to know more students, and my goal is to be able to make a positive contribution to the school.