Hello, I’m Robert Hoekstra. I am a 5th-grade teacher at Independence Elementary Stem School in Big Lake. I am in my 23rd year teaching in Big Lake, making it 25 years overall. I have coached baseball for 25 years, basketball for 20 years, and I enjoyed my first year of coaching football. In Big Lake, I have taught Middle School Computer Science, 6th Grade Social Studies, Elementary Keyboarding and Applications, and 5th Grade Reading and Social Studies.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have three older sisters and two of them are registered nurses. My mom lives in St. Cloud. My dad died when I was a senior in high school.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I have been in Big Lake for 23 years.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I am a teacher at Independence Elementary Stem School. My first two years of teaching were in 4th grade at Butterfield-Odin Schools.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Cheers, Frasier, and Leverage for TV shows. I also love binging old TV shows.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken Bacon Ranch Melts and Root Beer.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I love working on the computer, coaching baseball, football, and basketball.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
To actually do some traveling. I stay busy most of the year coaching and teaching.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would buy a huge dome for youth sports to utilize.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
My biggest challenge was overcoming the adversity when my dad died. I had to help take care of the farm and set things up for an auction, while still finishing high school.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could have spent more quality time with my mom. She recently broke her pelvis and has been in the hospital struggling to regain her quality of life.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
I truly admire all of my students who have had a tough go of things but who still work hard at school to learn. Some may have lost family members or struggle with various things, but still work hard at school to overcome those challenges.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I grew up as a very introverted person.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Graduating from college debt free and with $500 in my pocket!
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
McPetes, The Buff, BP Athletics, Pizza Factory, Riverside Church, Big Lake Schools
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
The families. I start feeling old when I get former students’ children in my class, but am really impressed how the former students turned out and what kind of great children they have!
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Don’t take your loved ones for granted. You never know what tomorrow brings, as no one is ever guaranteed tomorrow.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Zach Barzee and Skipp Machmer
