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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

Growing up with a love for learning and a passion for understanding all walks of life makes becoming an academic coach a dream job. Jessica Robb is beginning her second year working in the Johnson Academic Center at Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS), doing just that with her students.

When Robb was a student, she enjoyed her academic journey at several schools in the Winston-Salem area, including FCDS, Summit and Mount Tabor High School.

Outside of her studies, she was encouraged by her parents to be active, too, which included gymnastics from a young age and diving.

“My sisters and I all participated in gymnastics, and then later in diving once we got to be teenagers at Westwood Swim and Tennis Club and Mt. Tabor,” Robb said. “I became an instructor at the gym that my parents owned starting at 13, and we also became diving coaches during our summers. I realized how much I enjoyed working with kids and imparting what I knew with them.”

When the teenager finished up her time at Mt. Tabor, she knew there was only one college she was really considering.

“I had always known I was going to go to Wake Forest University,” Robb said. “It’s where my dad went for undergrad, and he shared his love for the school with me, too. I had decided to study German because of how much I enjoyed it when I was in high school. I knew that I wanted to become fluent. I had a professor at Wake that encouraged me to study abroad to fine-tune my knowledge of the language.”

Spending her summer abroad during her junior year was the beginning of many adventures for Robb to include 26 different countries.

“I loved meeting people and seeing new places and just immersing myself in their cultures,” Robb said.

Realizing that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, Robb enjoyed during that time her father’s position as part of the International College of Surgeons.

“He had meetings around the world, and it was so much fun to go to those places with my parents and share that with them. I think I get my sense of adventure from my dad, who enjoyed traveling as much as I do,” Robb said. “He always knew that if he wanted someone to go somewhere with him, I just needed 10 minutes to pack.”

Robb was devastated when her father, Dr. Lee Simstein, developed renal cancer from his time at Camp Lejeune.

“He passed away in 2001, and the world was much different then,” Robb said. “I still treasure all of the lessons that he taught me which included never meeting a stranger. I remember when I first left to study abroad my dad told me to come back speaking better German than when I left and not to bring home any potential boyfriends.

A tall young man from Slovakia ended up coming home in hopes of winning Robb’s heart but became a family friend for life instead.

“My mom ended up teaching him to speak English, and my dad took him under his wing, too, when he showed up at our doorstep. After having all girls, I think my dad loved having a son, and he became like family to everyone as he got an education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and then onto Wake Forest Law School,” says Robb. “He then went on to pass the New York State bar and even ran in the New York City marathon.” Their family friend now lives in Slovakia after earning his doctor of philosophy and becoming a therapist.

Robb chose to get her master’s degree in teaching (MAT) from Salem College, too.

“I had run into a former teacher from Summit School who had told me about some openings at my former school,” Robb said. “It was one of those serendipitous moments where I realized that was what I would enjoy doing. That began my 15-year career in teaching in both public and private schools.”

Also falling into place was meeting her future husband, Julian, in November 2003.

“We actually met on a blind date through mutual friends at Wake Forest,” Robb said. “After our initial meeting with a group of friends, he took me out to dinner on my birthday. I had strep throat at that time, and so I knew how much I must have wanted to get to know him since I still went.’

As the parents of two teenagers (Ellie and Liam) in high school, Robb reveals how quickly it has flown by.

“It’s so fun to see your children doing what they enjoy and coming into their own,” Robb said. “Especially now that we have started college tours, it’s a reminder to enjoy all of the milestones and moments with them.

“Liam likes to take adventures with me, and that’s fun to share with him. Ellie is very committed to taking care of her horse and hopes to be a veterinarian one day.”

Robb reflected on the parenting attributes her folks passed along to her.

“I love sharing the sense of adventure my dad instilled in me,” Robb said. “I also love how my mom always has been such a present calming force in our family too. I try and display that myself when it’s needed. It’s humbling as a parent because your child isn’t scared to tell you what they think. You love them so much though, you just want to get it right.”

With the new school year on the horizon for the Robb family, Jessica is looking forward to new adventures and milestones.

“I’m excited to get back to my students, and also seeing my own kids enjoying themselves too,” Robb said. “And of course, getting to plan another adventure when we can fit that in too.”