Robbie Owen has been an elementary school principal for the past twenty-two years and has been principal of Rockwell Elementary School in Spanish Fort, Alabama since 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Mobile where he earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.A. in Sociology. His M.Ed. in Elementary Education and Ed.S in Educational Leadership were earned at the University of South Alabama. Before becoming a principal, he taught several elementary school grades. In 2008, he was named Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal. Robbie served as the president of the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators and was selected for the association’s Leadership Award in 2004. He was also Alabama’s representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals from 2004 – 2007. In addition to his work in schools, he has directed music in several churches along with piano performances for numerous community functions. While working to ensure that Rockwell Elementary School maintains high academic standards, Robbie has been a strong advocate for arts education. Having received extensive training in Discipline-Based Arts Education (DBAE) through a grant provided by the Getty Foundation, he has overseen school-wide implementation of this philosophy. Teachers at Rockwell Elementary School are provided with continuous professional development in order to provide an arts integrated curriculum. Rockwell, a K-5 public school, received the CLAS Banner Award from the Council of Leaders in Alabama Schools for its success with arts education. Through its program, students are not only provided with an arts integrated curriculum, but also with independent instruction in visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.