10 Questions With Evansville Educator Mike Allen

Mike Allen is, in my opinion, one of the most talented and creative people in Evansville - and the work he does with students also makes him one of the most important. Mr. Allen is the longtime superintendent for Evansville Christian School, although he just announced an exciting new opportunity. He is also The Parody Principal on YouTube, where he has a bunch of brilliantly written, performed, and produced music videos. Think of Mike as the Southern Indiana version of Weird Al Yankovic!

I can't wait for you to learn a little bit more about with the very first edition of "10 Questions With..."

Okay, here it is, 10 Questions With Mike Allen (the Parody Principal)

#1: What’s your favorite childhood memory?

I grew up in Muncie, Indiana, in the 80s. What a decade. I am one of three siblings, with an older sister and a younger sister. Both of them have been two of my best friends for my entire life. We used to get the JCPenney catalogue at our house, and my older sister and I would sit at our bedroom doors (which were across the hall from each other) long after we were supposed to be in bed, thumbing through the catalogue. I’d say, “I’m going to collect all of the GI Joe figures…but I’ll share them with you.” And she’d work her way through the catalogue and follow up with, “I’m going to collect all of the My Little Pony figures…but I’ll share them with you.” Such a good memory. “Sibling” friends are the best.

#2: What’s your favorite hobby or way to spend free time?

Shockingly, I love to record and be creative with music. But! I also really love to build Lego sets while listening to audiobooks. It helps calm my brain down, and I can…just…relax. Fun fact: I own the Lego Titanic, Colosseum, and Eiffel Tower…all of which are in my office at work.

#3: If you could learn any new skill instantly, what would it be?

I was just talking about this question the other day! Man, do I wish I were a really good pop dancer. In my “It’s Gonna Be May” parody, I learned a bit of the N*SYNC dance. It’s passable, but super sloppy. Those boy banders make it look so easy. It just seems like it would be very, very cool to be able to do that.

#4: What’s your go-to comfort food or snack?

I’m known by name at our local Starbucks. Extra Large Black Iced Coffee. And a Cheese and Fruit protein box. Big time consumer of Caffeine Free Diet Coke. And if I’m getting really serious, Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs.

#5: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

My mom, Marilynn, passed away in 2020, very unexpectedly. It was one of those 3am phone calls where “Mom isn’t responding.” I had 41 great years with my mother. She was a hero of mine. A lot has happened in the last five years since she’s been gone. I would love to take her to get her favorite sushi roll and just laugh together.

#6: What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know?

I live in a house that is nearly 200 years old (built in 1827). I have had to remodel or restore nearly every part of the house in some fashion since we moved there in 2013. In the process, I have become a relatively handy man. With the abundance of information available on a 24/7 loop, I just refuse to believe that I can’t learn how to do things. So I end up getting hyper-focused and learning how to do whatever is needed to get the job done.

#7: Would you rather time-travel to the past and meet your ancestors or the future and meet your descendants?

Ancestors, hands down. When I read through the Bible, I see these lists of genealogies that many think are boring, but I am fascinated by the meticulous records of the Gospel. To sit with my ancestors and hear their stories, maybe see a facial expression that I see in my kids…that would be really fascinating.

#8: Would you rather have an invisibility cloak or a teleportation device?

Hmm…I’m going to have to go with an invisibility cloak. I am regularly trying to learn ways to slow down my life. Teleportation would steal the in-between moments where a person can really think and reflect. Those car rides force a person to just “be.” Invisibility could be the gift of solitude when desired. Let me know if anyone knows where I could get one.

#9: What’s a conspiracy theory you think might actually be true?

I’m beginning to think that the tomb of the historical figure named Jesus of Nazareth may have actually been empty!

#10: What’s the meaning of life?

In a world that can be beautiful, dirty, fun, cruel, inspiring, depressing, and just about any other range of oxymoronic terms – I believe to the core of my being that we exist to know and be known by our Creator God. It is the only road to full human restoration. Moral relativism leads to chaos, while Christ leads to order and completion. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

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I can only imagine how busy Mike is, so I can't say enough how much I appreciate him taking the time to answer these silly questions. He is a good sport, and I wish him nothing but the best in his new job!