Woodard and Robbins: The Men, The Myths, The Legends

by Claire Lyle

Whether or not you’ve had them in class, everyone knows Mr.’s Robbins and Woodard. They’re as much of a staple in LC’s history as Chuck—though Chuck doesn’t have nearly as many fans. Have you heard that Mr. Robbins, colloquially known as “The Northern Quest Guy”, has at least 2 cardboard cutouts in the basement? Did you know how Mr. Woodard broke his leg? That they had a band together, a la Monkey Business?

The rumors surrounding our favorite Tiger Staff swirl in a constant murmur. With this year marking the return of our favorite ‘Luncles’ (Library-Uncles—their term, not mine), I figured it was a perfect time to sit down and have a chat. What’s true? What’s not? What do they want us to know about them—their friendship, their careers, and their time at Lewis and Clark?

While Robbins and Woodard are iconic in their own rights, Robbins-and-Woodard make quite the impression, which becomes immediately apparent of you’ve ever shared the room with the duo. One will quip about our laptops’ technical difficulties, their shared history, the weather, some indefinable inside joke which completely escapes the interviewer, and the other will respond with a laugh, a comment in return. So on and so on. Ad infimum.

As it turns out, the story of Robbins-and-Woodard begins within these hallowed halls of LC. They met when Robbins was getting his teaching certification, when he was assigned to observe one Mr. Woodard.

“He wasn’t my student teacher, but-”

“I had teaching-experience in his class” Robbins finishes.

And Robbins, Woodard remembers, “didn’t get much of a choice” when it became to the two being friends. After meeting in the classroom in the early 90s, Woodard tracked Robbins down at a local comedy club, where he was doing stand-up. Woodard played it off as a coincidence—Robbins only found out this was not the case during our interview, and was, in fact, very intentional—and the rest, is history.

History we are, admittedly, interested in.

The band thing? This was real—they released an album together, along with Robbin’s wife and Woodard’s close friend, in 2012. And, in case you haven’t heard, both lead active lives outside school. Robbins is famous for his appearances in local TV, and from his spotlight in our coveted Northern Quest ads, has become a fortified Spokane celebrity.

Woodard is a curator for TEDx, President of Pivot Spokane, a board member at Spark Central, former radio show co-host, and—for all you Juniors and Seniors—wrote the curriculum for English Writing on Film.

Despite the laundry list of accomplishments, both consider their time at Lewis and Clark to be most special.

Both have been working as teachers and librarians in the building for decades, teaching English, Native American Lit, Psychology, and Writing on Film.

Both are excited to start this new chapter in the literary heart of our school. One of Woodard’s favorite parts about working in the library is how, “It’s such an open space – we don’t have any agendas here. I’ve met students because of the library, ones that I never would have otherwise. I love that.”

“I’ve been all over the district, and LC has always felt different” says Woodard. Perhaps it is the distinct architecture, the central location, the Instagram-page-that-shall-not-be-named; but, in all truth, it’s something much larger. The sense of community here is strong. Both teachers have made it their mission to cultivate and preserve that special something that makes LC so unique—whatever makes it home.

Robbins-and-Woodard are two of the cooler characters to have graced LC’s halls. I presume there will always be an air of mystery surrounding the two; much like a compelling read, we will always be left with more questions. If you get the chance, you should come visit the two in the library. Ask some questions. Make some friends.