Atlanta principal, wife die in tragic accident while vacationing in Puerto Rico

ATLANTA — Westlake High School principal Jamar Robinson and his wife died in an accident while on vacation in Puerto Rico.

Local media reports in Puerto Rico said two people drowned off a beach behind a San Juan hotel sometime Sunday. Police identified them as Jamar and AnnMarie Robinson of Georgia, according to the reports.

One faculty member confirmed to Channel 2 Action News the principal’s death and the staff is meeting sometime Wednesday.

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Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes learned that Jamar and AnnMarie were swimming in the ocean when AnnMarie got caught up in some rip currents. According to reports, Jamar tried to save her but they both tragically died.

Robinson is a native of Atlanta and graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School. He earned his degrees from FAMU, Georgia State and Georgia Southern.

[GOFUNDME: Donate to the Robinson family here]

Robinson taught at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in Stonecrest before he joined Westlake High School. He managed the school-wide testing and English department before he climbed the ladder to assistant principal and then principal.

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Jamar has obtained several accolades here in Atlanta, one being recognized by then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp as an outstanding Georgia citizen.

The school has switched to online learning today after learning of the principal’s death.

Here is the message sent by school officials to families:

“Westlake families,

Tomorrow, Wednesday November 11, Westlake High School will switch to Asynchronous Learning for students due to the tragic death of a staff member. The loss was not related to any events on campus and is not COVID related. Students should log in at the top of each class period to receive further instructions. More information will be forthcoming with details as they are confirmed.”

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Students told Channel 2′s Tom Jones they are devastated over the news.

“He was a great man. Every day he inspired me,” student Jessica Farrell said. “Everybody is talking about it. It’s devastating to everybody. Everybody is sad so.”

City of South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards stopped by Westlake on Wednesday to pay his condolences. He told Jones that Jamar was always trying to lift up his students.

“You come to see him, you got to find him because he’s in the building somewhere,” Edwards said.

AnnMarie Robinson was a professor at Georgia State University. The couple leave behind two children.

Community is mourning after beloved Atlanta principal and wife die in tragic accident