Iola Middle School Assistant Principal Scott Brady was recognized with two statewide awards last week, though he’s quick to downplay the attention. “It was nice,” Brady said. “I’m humbled. I’m not a big awards guy.”
Brady received the Kansas Principals Association Area 2 Assistant Principal of the Year award in Wichita on Wednesday, followed by the Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s Administrator of the Year honor in Hays on Thursday. Brady, who is in his third year as assistant principal and athletic director at IMS, attended both ceremonies with his wife, Krista, and their three sons — Jayden, Myles and Lincoln.
Brady said the recognitions held added meaning because of those who nominated him. Superintendent Stacey Fager nominated Brady for the assistant principal award. “That was an honor for me for sure,” Brady said. The second award came through a nomination by IMS physical education teacher Scott Ellis.
BRADY JOINED IMS after teaching history and geography in Humboldt for 10 years.
Before that, Brady had a “hardship” term teaching elementary physical education in Hawaii for one year, where his classes were held entirely outdoors.
What pulled him stateside in 2012 was his then-fiancé, Krista.
Brady earned his undergraduate degree in health and physical education at the University of Kansas and later completed his administration degree at Emporia State University.
As an administrator and athletic director, Brady said his favorite part of the job is finding ways to give students experiences they might not otherwise have. At IMS, those experiences have included team trips to college sports events and even an Oklahoma City Thunder NBA game.
“It’s really cool — things that maybe a couple kids on the team might get to do with their families, but they would never get to do with their classmates,” Brady said. He also works to create school traditions that make middle school more meaningful, such as signing days to encourage participation in high school athletics.
“My main goal is just making middle school meaningful and memorable to them,” he said.
While Brady said he is honored by the awards, he stressed they reflect the work of many. He credited Principal Brad Crusinbery, Counselor Stacey Crusinbery, and administrative assistant Kelci Maier. “She deserves just as much of the credit because I couldn’t do most of the things without her,” Brady said about Maier. “She’s the key to our building.”
He also pointed to strong coaching staff at the middle school. “I have great coaches that make me look good,” he said.
BRADY SAID one of his major goals is developing a unified athletic system from seventh through 12th grade. He is working with Iola High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tristan Carson to build continuity between programs. “That’s a big goal so that Iola can be successful, not just at the middle school, but at the high school as well,” he said.
Brady also plans to continue expanding opportunities and activities that motivate students to stay engaged. With many middle schoolers more drawn to phones and video games than classes, he said the challenge is “finding more and more things that make them want to be here and enjoy being here.”
Though the awards recognize his leadership, Brady said the honors ultimately reflect the positive work happening throughout the building. “I’m glad that other people see the good things that we have going on,” he said.
