From band director to school leader, meet Collinsville High School’s new principal
Bobby Wright started his educational career as Collinsville High School’s band director. Now he’s preparing to be the school’s principal.
Wright, who is currently one of the school’s assistant principals, will assume his new role at the start of the 2025-26 school year. Current Principal Daniel Toberman will finish up this school year.
Toberman, who started his career as an English teacher, says he would now like to teach college students how to be educators.
“I was just looking to do something different in education,” Toberman said. “Honestly, I miss teaching. I love being an administrator as well, but I like being a teacher more.”
Much of Wright’s life has been shaped by Collinsville High School. It’s where Wright fell for his wife, Rachael, who is now a biology teacher at the school. It’s also where, after getting his bachelor’s in music education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he secured his first job in the education field.
“I graduated from University of Illinois on a Sunday, and I received the news that I was the selected candidate the following Monday,” Wright said.
The Wrights’ son, now 3, will also attend the Collinsville school district.
After nine years as the band director, Wright moved into an assistant principal position. He has since picked up a master’s in educational administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He’s currently completing his doctorate in educational leadership from the university.
He also plays the coronet for the St. Louis Brass Band.
Directing a band and leading a school of nearly 2,000 students appear to be two very different jobs. With the band, it’s the performers plus the booster club. As a principal, he’ll be responsible for the students, staff and school’s community relationships, Wright explained.
But, are more similar than one may expect, he said.
“Leadership is leadership no matter what,” Wright said. “Obviously as principal the stakes are a little higher, and you’re leading a bigger group. The band director is like that, but on a smaller scale.”
Many of Wright’s close friends are in the education field, too. One has a background in school psychology, another is a middle school teacher and one teaches at a private school. Together, they help Wright see challenges and potential solutions from different perspectives, he said.
“We eat, sleep and breathe what we do,” Wright said of him and his wife.
As for Toberman, he said he’s confident that he’s leaving the school in good hands.
“(Wright) is a great person, great educator and an extremely hard worker,” Toberman said. “He will be a fantastic principal.”
Wright’s new position isn’t the only recent change to Collinsville schools’ leadership. Ukyah Wilburn, who is currently a 5th grade math and science teacher at Dorris Intermediate School, will be an assistant principal.
Wilburn will start her new role in the 2025-26 school year, filling the position left open by Madonna Harris’ retirement.