Music ignited a passion in Mark Minton many moons ago, and it is one he has lovingly passed on to hundreds – if not thousands – of students since becoming Band Director in 1997 at Parkway High School. He never anticipated staying so long.
“Upon beginning my journey at Parkway, I was planning for this assignment to be a short stop on my career path. I fell in love with the community and the rest is history,” Minton smiled as he explained.
Admired by his peers as one of the most influential – and decorated – band directors teaching today, Minton and his Pride of Pantherland have racked up countless awards. While he acknowledges he and his musicians have been blessed to accomplish a lot, that is not what matters most to Minton.
“A band program gives those non-traditional/athletic students a place to belong and thrive. It builds confidence and gives them a reason to come to school.” Minton added, “When students from broken homes and horrible conditions find solace in the band room, I feel privileged to get to mentor them towards being a successful adult after high school. Winning competitions and All-State are nice, but winning the kids – that’s where it’s at!”
If “winning the kids” is the goal, Minton has certainly succeeded, as dozens of his current and past students will attest, and their parents.
“Mr. Minton is a steady rock in the lives of so many students,” wrote Meg Grafton Kinnaird. “His love and care extend far beyond teaching music – he pours into every band member’s heart. Whether they are hungry, hurting, in need of encouragement, or in need of discipline, he shows up for them in exactly the way they need. He doesn’t just teach a classroom full of students; he invests in each individual.”
Tiffany Robinson shared a story about the impact Minton has had on her son, who is now ranked as one of the best euphonium players in the district .
“There are teachers who teach music, and then there are teachers who change lives. Mark Minton is one of those rare few who does both. When my son entered high school as a freshman, he was searching for his place and for his people. He had never picked up an instrument in his life, but Mr. Minton saw something in him. He welcomed him into the Pride of Pantherland band with open arms and unwavering belief. That single act of kindness and faith changed everything. My son found confidence, community and passion.”
Those who know Minton also appreciate “delayed gratification,” a mantra that he instills in every musician.
“He not only teaches his students to work hard for what they do, but have respect and dignity for others in EVERYTHING they do,” Ashley Snyder remembers. “He teaches self-discipline, delayed gratification (working hard for something and being rewarded for it in the end), respect, humbleness, humility, integrity, and so many other things. I’ve known him for over 10 years, as a student and now as a friend. The life lessons he has taught me have carried me through my adult life and I believe wholeheartedly if he were never in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Remember that part about “winning kids” being most important to Minton? Snyder is one of those students he won over many years ago, as is Keila Darner, who gives her former band director credit for creating something that goes beyond the band room.
“Mark Minton has also fostered a sense of community in south Bossier. So many people have come together with the band, even including students who were never in it,” Darner said. “Mark Minton is someone who we should all strive to be like.”
Now teaching 10 “grand” students as Minton calls them; those being children of former students, he has impacted two generations. What a legacy he will one day leave that is, thankfully, no time soon. Before that dreaded day comes, though, a cadre of fans erupted in applause one afternoon in the band room when the beloved director was surprised as the recipient of Bossier Schools’ Gold Star employee award.
Visibly stunned, and one who struggles with accepting accolades, Minton quickly pivoted the attention back to “winning the kids.”
“I want to leave the place better than I found it,” he concluded. “I also want to be known as a man who lived his faith and truly cared for his students.”
Editor’s note: Know someone who works for Bossier Schools that is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond? Nominate them for the Gold Star award, proudly sponsored for the 13th year by Bossier Federal Credit Union. Visit https://bit.ly/GoldStarForm to tell what sets them apart and be watching for our next Gold Star surprise.