Drake High Students Surprise Departing Principal with Flash Mob

students recently surprised departing Principal Don Drake with a flash mob.

Drake, who will move to Korea with his family in July for a new position as head of the Korea International School, was principal at Drake for 11 years. He said the surprise May 25 flash mob was “all the more special” knowing the “whole student population and staff kept it a secret for a few weeks.”

The school’s leadership class organized the flash mob, which students practiced during their advisory period. A YouTube video shows the students rehearsing in class before the whole performance, which ended with the students unrolling a long banner that read “We will miss you Don Drake.”

 “It was shocking, touching and a statement about our kids. They are so open to new ideas and all participated,” Drake said. “I take it as a sign of appreciation.”

Drake said he’s currently focusing on ensuring a smooth transition after his departure.

“We’ll finish up the school year and wrap things up here in a bright and shiny bow and move on to the next challenges that life will bring forward,” he said. “It’s been a great run and a great place to take a lot of memories from.” 

Drake's wife, Kathryn, taught kindergarden in Mill Valley for more than 18 years and will be accepting a position at the Korea International School as a second-grade teacher, the Marin IJ reported.