DeSoto Parish Schools has named North DeSoto Lower Elementary Principal Russell Tabor its 2026–2027 Principal of the Year, recognizing more than two decades of service in education and his leadership in improving student achievement.
Tabor has spent 23 years in education, including 18 years with DeSoto Parish Schools. He has served as principal of North DeSoto Lower Elementary since 2020.
A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Tabor earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2002 and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in 2006. He began his career at Homer Elementary in Claiborne Parish, teaching there from 2003 until joining DeSoto Parish Schools in 2008.
Tabor began his DeSoto Parish career as a first-grade teacher at North DeSoto Lower Elementary. He later served as a master teacher from 2010 to 2013 and was named the school’s Teacher of the Year for 2010–2011. From 2013 to 2020, he served as assistant principal at North DeSoto High School before returning to the lower elementary campus as principal.
District officials credited Tabor’s leadership with significant gains in early literacy and mathematics, along with the implementation of the Leader in Me program and development of the Little Steps to Big School initiative.
North DeSoto Lower Elementary saw the percentage of students reaching proficiency on the DIBELS literacy assessment increase from 75.6% during 2024–25 to 91.3% in 2025–26, a gain of 15.7 percentage points.
Overall student growth increased from 76.2% to 83.8% during the same period. Among students in the lowest-performing 25%, the percentage demonstrating growth increased from 60.5% to 72.5%.
“Mr. Tabor’s commitment to early literacy and data-driven instruction has transformed learning at North DeSoto Lower Elementary,” Superintendent Clay Corley said. “Under his leadership, NDLE has risen to the top of the state in literacy performance.”
Corley said Tabor’s dedication to student success reflects the district’s focus on high performance and called the recognition well deserved.
Anesha Ross, director of administration for DeSoto Parish Schools, also praised Tabor’s leadership and the academic progress achieved at North DeSoto Lower Elementary.
“His visionary leadership is most evident in our tremendous literacy data—driving higher proficiency, accelerating overall student growth, and closing the gap for our highest-needs students,” Ross said. “He is a remarkable educator and a true champion for student success.”
Tabor said the recognition reflects the combined efforts of the entire North DeSoto Lower Elementary community.
“While this recognition carries my name, it is truly a reflection of the hard work, passion, and dedication that fill the halls of North DeSoto Lower Elementary every single day,” Tabor said.
Tabor and his wife, Paige, have been married since 2003 and have three sons, all of whom have attended North DeSoto schools.
Their oldest, Lathan, is a North DeSoto High School graduate; Landon is a senior; and Lawson is a sophomore.
As DeSoto Parish’s honoree, Tabor will advance to the Louisiana Department of Education’s state-level Principal of the Year competition.