Robert Best dedicated his career to supporting children and youth through some of their most challenging transitions. After studying Child and Youth Care in Kelowna, he began working at the Boys and Girls Club, later moving to Vancouver to serve as a frontline worker at Browndale Care Society and as a foster parent to a teen with exceptional needs. Robert joined the Vancouver School District in the early 1990s, first with the Vinery Alternate Program and later at Windermere Secondary. There, he supported a diverse student body representing over 40 languages, building connection and leadership through initiatives like Link Crew, Peer Education, and one of the district’s first Restorative Justice programs—training 26 students as peer facilitators in conflict resolution.
Robert founded the Oasis Club, a lunchtime refuge for Grade 8 students and those facing social, emotional, or physical challenges. He also created the Grade 7 Toolkit to support students and their families through the elementary-to-secondary school transition. His work spanned K–12, using creative tools—including puppets like Harold the Monster—to teach emotional regulation and build student resilience. Though Robert retired early due to MS, his warmth, mentorship, and innovation left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the lives of students across Vancouver.
