The School Administrator of Iowa (SAI) chose Toby Young, MMCRU Middle School Principal, as the 2023 Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year. He was selected for this honor by a committee of Iowa Middle Level Principals. What were his qualifications for this prestigious honor? SAI Executive Director, Lisa Remy states that Toby Young is straightforward, organized, caring and a mentor just to name a few. “Toby leads with his heart and makes decisions based on what is best for students.”
Toby received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northwest Missouri State University and went on to receive his master’s degree in educational administration from University of Nebraska.
His first position in education was for eight years as a Kindergarten through Grades 12 as a physical education teacher at Farragut Community School District. His next two years were at Fremont-Mills as a Middle School Social Studies teacher and a Physical Education Coach for Middle School and High School.
Toby’s wife and her family are from Remsen so—when the sixth grade through grades twelve principal position was available in 2013 at Remsen-Union School in Remsen, Toby applied. Of the ten years he has been in Remsen, the first three years he was 6-12 grade Principal. Remsen-Union and Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn have been whole grade sharing for seven years with Toby as PK-8 Principal for MMCRU. With whole grade sharing, both schools staff and administrative team work together in instruction, professional development, curriculum, as well as extra-curricular activities. He is also proud to be working with supportive communities.
What do his students say about Principal Toby Young? For some kids, grades 5-8 can be challenging. Middle School age students are not a kid anymore and not yet a teenager. A high school student now that was bussed to Remsen from Marcus, related how he was scared of going to another school in another town and being with kids he didn’t know. “Mr. Young was there for all of us,” he said. One student exclaimed, “Mr. Young is awesome!” “He makes us feel important,” said another.
Congratulations on your honor given to you and may you be with us many more years! Toby Young will be recognized for the 2023 Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year at SAI’s annual conference in August of this year.