Robert Belin, 37, currently is a mathematics educator at Thornton Fractional High School in Lansing, Illinois and Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. In addition, he finds time to work with inmates as a teacher and counselor at Cook County Jail in Chicago. His efforts have not come unnoticed. Robert Belin was Adjunct Professor of the Year last year at Moraine Valley and captured two Educator of the Year awards at Thornton Fractional South. Thus, his work has been recognized seven times in Who’s Who in America Teachers.

Mr. Belin graduated from DePaul University in 1991 with a degree in accountancy. He went on to work with the public accounting firm Arthur Andersen in Chicago and William Condon Associates in Lansing, Illinois. In 1992, Robert decided to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education. Robert Belin’s thesis on cooperative learning was awarded High Distinction Honors. During his master’s degree, Robert met his future wife Barb in a geometry course at De Paul University. Robert took a series of mathematics courses during his master’s program for certification in secondary education. Shortly thereafter in 1994, he was offered a teaching position at Thornton Fractional South High School teaching mathematics. He made an immediate impact by capturing teaching awards during his first year. Several universities and colleges approached Robert Belin about teaching at their institutions. Robert accepted and taught business and mathematics courses part-time at Davenport University in Merrillville and Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

In 1995, Robert Belin accepted a volunteer position at Good News Jail Ministries. He served as a small group teacher and counselor to several inmates in Cook County Jail in Chicago. In 2000, Robert Belin was presented a Volunteer Award for his perseverance and dedication to the inmates in the jail. He was shortly thereafter presented a leadership role in the ministry as a director in 2000. Today he continues to touch thousands of lives in the Cook County Jail facility.

Mr. Belin is a member and a teacher for Faith Church in Dyer, Indiana . He works with a children’s ministries program called Treasureland. Treasureland is the weekend teaching and worship ministry for children at Faith Church. This is a place where children can experience the love of God and learning of God's word.

Robert Belin resides with his loving family in Lansing, Illinois. He is married to Barb and has four children named Zachary (9), Bailey (8), Robert (6) and Connor (4).