Mr. TaRael Kee
TaRael Kee has worked 15 years in education. He has an Ed.S. in Education Administration from Lindenwood University. Mr. Kee is a familiar face around CHS because he previously served as a counselor and co-chair of the Counseling Department. He was named 2021 Illinois School Counselor of the Year.
“I believe that teachers and students are the most important people in our building,” says Kee, “I know that supporting teachers leads to improved instruction and that ultimately leads to better outcomes for students! I love my new team! All of us are incredibly talented and I know that we are going to positively impact our school culture!”
Kee lives in Collinsville with his wife, son and dog named Thomas. He enjoys running and watching his son play baseball.
For the 2021-22 school year, Mr. Kee says, “I look forward to building meaningful relationships with teachers/students and supporting our new principal’s vision.”
Mr. Clayton Smith
Coach Smith serves as the Athletic Director at Collinsville High School.
He is a 1995 graduate of Collinsville High School where he played basketball, baseball and soccer, and was a member of many clubs. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Mckendree University, earning degrees in education with an emphasis in kinesiology/health. Smith earned a Masters Degree in Sports Management from SIUE in 2006, and earned his second Masters Degree in Education Administration from McKendree University in 2010.
Coach Smith’s 20 years in education have included teaching physical education, adaptive physical education, driver education and health, as well as coaching soccer and basketball. He was the Assistant Athletic Director at Collinsville High School for 5 years before taking over the Athletic Director position in 2018.
“Being an educator is the most challenging and rewarding job on the planet. Everyday brings about a new adventure and challenge in which no two days are alike,” says Smith, “My current role as AD at CHS is time consuming, challenging, and always an adventure. I love working with our leadership, educators and coaches to give our students the best possible education and experience in the Collinsville School District.”
Coach Smith’s wife Robin is a 1994 graduate of Collinsville High School. They live in Maryville with their children Layne (12) who attends Collinsville Middle School, and Holden (10) who attends Dorris Intermediate School, and dog Finley Carolina (4).
He enjoys spending time with his family, and staying active by swimming, exercising, and watching his kids compete in activities they love. “I also love to cheer for my two favorite teams,” he adds, “The Kahoks and Tarheels!”
Known throughout Collinsville for his purple attire and school spirit, Coach Smith honestly admits, “I bleed purple! #thekahokway”
Mr. Bobby Wright
Mr. Wright grew up in Maryville, Illinois and graduated from Collinsville High School in 2008. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied Music Education, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.
He was hired as the CHS band director and served in that role for 9 years. During his tenure as the band director, he completed his Master of Education Administration degree at SIUE. This will be his tenth year at Collinsville High School.
“My philosophy about education is that every student can learn,” says Wright, “I am also of the opinion that every decision made by parents, teachers or administrators should always be based on what is best for students.”
Mr. Wright lives in Collinsville with his wife Rachael Wright (special education teacher at CHS) and their two dogs, Oskee and Chief. The couple will have their first child (baby boy) on or around October 1st 2021.
Outside of work, he loves spending time in the gym working out, or working on the classic car (1972 Camaro) that he built with his father-in-law.
Mr. Wright definitely embodies the phrase “Once a Kahok, always a Kahok.”
Dr. Tesha Robinson
Dr. Robinson was raised in East St. Louis, IL. She has a Ph.D. in Education and a background in school social work. She has been in education for 13 years. She is currently enrolled in a superintendent endorsement program at SIUE.
“I believe that education should be approached based on students’ strengths,” says Robinson, “Every child has a strength that can be built upon to maximize their potential.”
Dr. Robinson has been married for 12 years and has one biological child. She is also a proud foster mom. She’s a Christian and loves her church family. She is a part-time Realtor, and enjoys reading and traveling.
She is excited about the 2021-22 school year. “I am looking forward to our new program at CHS, the Success Center. It’s another way to help targeted students succeed this school year.”
Ms. Charlotte Fisher
Ms. Fischer earned both a BS in Special Education and MS in Educational Administration from SIUE. Prior to joining the staff at CHS she was a special education teacher and coordinator in Cahokia Community Unit school District # 187 for eight years.
“I believe all students are capable of learning,” says Fisher, “In order for students to learn, they need a positive and safe educational environment that allows them to take risks while growing into individual citizens.”
Music is Ms. Fisher’s go-to when she has time to relax and unwind.
She says the best part of being a Kahok is: “We leave no one behind. There is an opportunity for everyone to thrive, get involved and be themselves.”
Mr. McGinnis
Mr. McGinnis’ duties as assistant principal include being director of the Collinsville Area Vocational Center.
McGinnis began with Collinsville CUSD #10 in 2011 as a Special Education teacher in the district, and assistant principal at Collinsville High School prior to being named director of CAVC in 2020. His experience with construction trades began when he was a teenager working with his uncle.
He expanded his skill set by taking welding at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC). During his early years as an educator, McGinnis ran a lawn and landscaping company and worked for other area contractors. These experiences gave him an appreciation for career and technical education.
“People who have baseline skills in a trade can take that with them for the rest of their lives,” says McGinnis, “Even if they pursue another career path, they can always fall back on their vocational know-how. My favorite quote is from the early American West: ‘When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!’ Career and technical skills can become that ‘knot” for people.”
Joe McGinnis grew up in Collinsville. He received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Certification from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and Master of Arts in Education Administration and Principal Certification from McKendree University.
McGinnis and his wife Sarah, a special education teacher at Collinsville High School, live in Maryville, Illinois with their children Conner (6), Austin (4) and Nora (1).