Elementary principal earns award for supporting band

Parker Elementary School Principal Mark Staab is being recognized for his contribution to helping fifth-grade musicians. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

Parker Elementary School Principal Mark Staab has been named outstanding administrator for the southeast Kansas district of the Kansas Music Educators Association for the 2024-25 school year.

Staab said he was nominated for the award by Jeffery Russell, Prairie View High School band director. Russell arrives at PES every morning to teach a fifth-grade band class, and sometimes Staab has to step in when Russell has a competition or other event and can’t be with the class.

The principal was modest about the award, but praised Russell for his teaching.

“He’s a great model for the kids,” Staab said.

While he isn’t a brass musician, the principal is not without musical talent. He plays keyboard and guitar, including a treasured vintage Sherwood archtop guitar he received as a gift from a relative.