Off The Gravel Road
Off the Gravel Road
Robb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England.
Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen have lived for many years. Married for over 31 years, they’ve raised three sons and are now proud grandparents to two granddaughters.
In addition to his work at FIA, Robb serves on the Barnstead Select Board and as an ex officio member of the zoning board, where he brings a grounded, practical voice to local governance. He’s also the force behind Storer Ranch and Cow Camp, rural education initiatives rooted in soil health, regenerative agriculture, and trades-based learning. Through programs like the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club and partnerships with local schools, Robb is helping rural youth gain real-world skills and a sense of stewardship for the land.
Having lived in small towns across New England, Robb has come to appreciate their quiet differences and shared spirit. Off the Gravel Road, his podcast, explores what makes these communities tick—sharing conversations from porches, pastures, and town halls that reflect the values, humor, and grit of life beyond the pavement.
Off The Gravel Road
“Grades, Growth, and What They Really Mean — A Student’s Talk with Assistant Superintendent Matt Jozokos”
What do grades really mean? Why do we take so many tests? And how do schools decide what “progress” looks like?
In this student-led episode of Off the Gravel Road, Barnstead Elementary student Aurora sits down with Assistant Superintendent Matt Jozokos to unpack the world of grades, assessments, and learning. From state testing to effort vs. ability, Aurora asks the honest questions that every kid — and parent — wonders about.
And stay tuned until the end, when Aurora’s mom, Renée, joins the conversation to share a parent’s point of view — reflecting on how grades, behavior, and feedback can sometimes reveal much more than what’s written on a report card.
It’s a heartfelt, insightful, and surprising look at how schools measure learning — through the eyes of both students and parents.
🎧 Recorded at Barnstead Elementary for Off the Gravel Road — where local voices meet local stories.
