“For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone and is a succession of little things that are brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
Dedication
I want to dedicate this biography to God as my primary dedication because God’s consistent presence through life provided me ongoing strength alongside guidance and peace. I have maintained my faith throughout all adversities while I trusted that God’s blessings would help me achieve everything. By relying on God’s unfailing support and love, I have managed to traverse my life path, and I stay endlessly thankful for His eternal direction.
My mother, Tara Robinson, receives this dedication too because her endless love, dedication, and encouragement developed me into my current self. I owe everything to my mother, who blessed me with education lessons and strength and faith because she sacrificed daily life. Every milestone in my life has found your guidance as my steadfast support while you illustrate the transcendent power of continuing forward and having complete faith.
Father, Robert Robinson has brought lifelong wisdom and support in addition to unwavering belief, which deeply marked my life path. Our lives took separate directions, but his valuable instructions and ethical principles, together with his work ethic, continue to steer my direction. His influence maintains an essential position throughout my complete life’s path.
My brother, Joshua Robinson, and sister, Malene Robinson, have stayed by my side during all critical moments in my life. Your everlasting love, together with your heartening support, has proven irreplaceable, which I cherish as I have you standing beside me. You both provide support and unfading joy, which makes our bond truly valuable to me.
The dedication within this biography exists for all individuals who experience hardships before surmounting them. The message should remind us that any obstacle becomes conquerable through faith combined with perseverance and love, which helps dreams turn into real achievements.
Dr. Abena Robinson
Phase 1: From Island Dreams to Unbreakable Spirit
“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.” —Vernon Sanders Law
Dr. Abena Robinson was born in the land of harmonious ocean waves of Trinidad and Tobago while being embraced by her loving family and spiritual heart. Dr. Abena Robinson entered this vibrant Caribbean nation on April 1, 1976, and she carried within her a destiny marked by determination and strength. From when she was young, her world blended with two dominant forces—her parents, Robert and Tara Robinson—who taught her about education along with perseverance. As an economist, her father’s profession fit his logical nature because he believed intellectual knowledge could shape the lives of others. She learned from her mother, who implemented her teaching knowledge to lead students toward educational transformations. The power of learning to enable empowerment found its origins through the combined influence of Dr. Abena Robinson’s parents.
Any foundation at its core can experience movement. The family system Dr. Abena Robinson had known about since her childhood started undergoing transformations when she was young. The split between her parents introduced both painful emotions and personal tenacity to her life. Instead of being torn apart, Dr. Abena Robinson chose to unify the two distinct lives she was experiencing. While she lived in a different home, she maintained constant support from her father regarding her academic goals throughout her education.
Her siblings, Joshua and Malene, supported and helped each other through the difficult transitions that life presented. She witnessed her mother dedicating all her energy to supporting them in all ways possible, both materially and familywise. Dr. Abena Robinson looked up to Tara, her mother, as more than a mother figure because she understood that her mother demonstrated the essence of devotion, which shaped Dr. Abena Robinson’s life. During the highs and lows, she developed her inner strength and strong faith in God. Early on she learned that life brings unpredictability, yet it can still be overcome by faith together with determination.
The strength of faith served as her main stabilizing point. Dr. Abena Robinson discovered spiritual peace through prayer. She maintained faith as an intrinsic belief system, which assured her constant divine companionship during every difficult moment of her life. The belief enabled her to stay strong throughout unstable times, which provided her with the power needed to face every new experience with courage.
The transition to US life brought numerous difficulties that needed to be overcome.
Being brought to a thriving American city after her Caribbean background exposed her to educational institutions totally unfamiliar to her previous experience. She stood as one of the scarce Caribbean pupils who needed to handle her distinct cultural distinctions and unfamiliar social environment in school coupled with Hurricane Andrew devastation. Her family lost everything! The different environment with a 1.0 GPA due to misunderstanding of grades and culture made Dr. Abena Robinson view her situation to explore new areas that would enhance her knowledge. The steady assurance from her mother about knowledge being her most significant asset enabled her to devote herself wholeheartedly to her studies with the vision of building a life that respected her Caribbean roots alongside American opportunities.
The middle school period in the United States helped Dr. Abena Robinson discover that art with education was her true passion. Creative expression captured her full attention because she understood that art surpassed being a school subject by allowing emotions and history and heritage to come to life. The encouragement of her teachers helped her accept arts as a tool to demonstrate the full extent of both her life experiences, leadership platforms and social connections.
Academic achievement did not make Dr. Abena Robinson abandon her initial origins. She kept Trinidad and Tobago always present in her heart with its populous warmth and musical rhythms that taught her during her childhood years. She understood that wherever she went, her roots from Trinidad and Tobago would stay a fundamental part of her being. When she confronted every problem and conquered all barriers, she strengthened her self-determination to reach her goals both individually and for the pupils she planned to motivate later in life.
Phase 2: The Rise of a Dedicated Art Educator
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” —Reba McEntire
Dr. Abena Robinson recognized art exceeded pastimes because it functioned as a vocal instrument for comprehending reality yet also taught children about the world. She dedicated herself to pursuing her journey because her family honored education deeply, yet she needed to meet her unique aspirations. She recognized from the beginning that art could change everything, and she wished to serve as a link connecting transformative art power to students who desired artistic discovery.
Dr. Abena Robinson dedicated herself to pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Art Education along with a Master of Science in Art Education at Florida International University to combine her creative passion with teaching abilities. Ms. Robinson did Plein Air Painting in Paris, Amsterdam and China. She visited École des beaux Art in Paris and Chinese University to observe teachers and students. Academic achievement for her represented the evolution of her teaching capacity to inspire artistic creation in students. She went beyond traditional learning to find creative stimulation from Harvard Project Zero, at Harvard University although simultaneously she challenged existing art education standards through her personal commitment to Harvard Project Zero research. At Harvard she discussed teaching strategies with teachers from around the world and was invited to display and discuss her innovative book made out of recycled materials around Boston. Acquiring this experience revealed to her that art extended beyond aesthetics since it required problem-solving abilities alongside capabilities.
Dr. Abena Robinson started her hands-on teaching career in Miami Dade County Public Schools and worked in museums where she demonstrated her skills and theories for the first time. With dreams in her heart, she entered the classroom to understand that the art curriculum involved more than just drawing or painting because it helped students express themselves in a world that tended to silence them. She spent sixteen years as an award-winning art teacher, museum magnet teacher and President Elect of Dade Art Educators Association because she utilized artistic and museum methods, diplomacy, arts advocacy, fundraising, exhibition, leadership and networking skills to show students how to express themselves confidently while developing persistence skills.
Her students, teachers and leaders totally recognized how she naturally interacted with them. Multiple organizations recognized her teaching mastery, which resulted in four prestigious honors for Teacher of the Year at Sunset Park Elementary School (2004-2005), Biscayne Gardens Elementary School (2006-2007) and (2013-2014), Regional Finalist of District II, Teacher of the Year (2014), Museum Magnet Schools of America Award of Distinction (2015), and Medal of Excellence Innovative Art Educator as incoming President of Dade Art Educators Association (March 2014). The essence of her commitment came from watching students’ progress from self-doubt to leadership that enabled them to present their creations confidently. She transformed spaces to exhibit her students’ work and achievements and always encouraged them to do their best. She inspired the district organization of art teachers, leaders and all to aim for excellence.
Phase 3: Reaching New Horizons: A Global Teaching and Leading Odyssey
“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.” — Mandy Hale
From the beginning, Dr. Abena Robinson felt a strong attraction to activities that would extend her professional fields of education and art. Teaching at a Miami school for sixteen years motivated her to explore international educational environments. When an educational opportunity emerged, she accepted a teaching job in Kuwait, a country recognized for its modern developments, multicultural population, and rapidly growing education sector.
The move to the Middle East fascinated her but also brought emotional challenges as she adapted to a new culture and environment. She discovered an intriguing blend of traditional values and innovative progress upon settling there. Each of her students came from different corners of the world, bringing diverse perspectives and unique cultural insights into her classroom. Teaching in Kuwait became more than just delivering artistic knowledge—it was about creating a space where international conversations could flourish, where young minds learned to use art as a universal language.
Dr. Abena Robinson taught Art and IB Art classes to elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as university students, teachers, and even seniors, fostering creativity and bridging cultures through art.
Dr. Abena Robinson swiftly adapted to the new cultural and educational landscape in Kuwait by integrating cultural sensitivity into her lessons while preserving the core principles of artistic exploration. Her impactful work was recognized in the Kuwait Times, which published an article highlighting her achievements, her role as President Elect of the Dade Art Educators Association, and her vision to create a more creative and empowered society through art.
For six years, she served as the CCCC Arts Liaison, leading and inspiring a team of art teachers while exploring how Middle Eastern aesthetics influenced global artistic trends. Immersing herself in her new surroundings, she deepened her own artistry, drawing inspiration from Arabic educational patterns and the vast desert dunes. Her paintings and photographs were exhibited both locally and internationally, showcasing her evolving creative voice.
In October 2019, she became certified in IB Art and began teaching high school and university students, elevating their artistic abilities to international standards. Beyond the classroom, she collaborated with education professionals and local universities, creating enriching learning experiences for students who went on to win several art awards under her mentorship.
Dr. Robinson conducted 17 in-service training sessions for district teachers across Kuwait, sharing best practices and innovative approaches to art education. Her collaborative work with educators from various cultural and philosophical backgrounds reinforced her belief that art is not just a subject—it is a vital tool for emotional healing, identity expression, and social connection.
Recognizing her expertise, the Superintendent of Schools in Kuwait invited her to deliver keynote speeches at three graduations, join the prestigious Leadership Academy, and lead a Superintendent’s Mural Grant project. She guided students, teachers, principals, and district leaders in creating a large-scale mural masterpiece, celebrating creativity and unity. The project concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where every participant was honored with a certificate, marking a shared achievement in transforming art education into a powerful, community-building experience.