PCSD32
PERRYVILLE – Longtime District 32 teacher and administrator Jeff Steffens has been selected as the 2025 Perryville High School Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall.
PHS’s 70th Homecoming celebration is set for Saturday, Oct. 25. Mr. Steffens will lead the parade from Perryville City Park beginning at 10 a.m. Festivities will continue at 11 a.m. with an Alumni Reception at the Perry County Middle School library followed by the Homecoming football game between PHS and Cuba. at 1 p.m.
“It’s a true honor to be named the Grand Marshall of the parade. It’s something you don’t expect,” Mr. Steffens said. “It’s just an honor to be someone that is thought of in that position — that the work you did meant something to people.”
A 1985 PHS graduate, Mr. Steffens has continuously served Perry County School District 32 in a variety of roles since starting as a fifth-grade teacher at PCMS in 1991. He spent 10 years as a classroom teacher before moving into the administrative ranks where he served 15 years as the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at PHS. He went on to serve six years as PHS principal before retiring in 2022, but came out of retirement to serve as the Perryville Elementary Principal for the 2022-23 school year.
Steffens also coached several teams throughout his career in District 32 as well as driving school bus routes. He continues to serve District 32 students as a bus driver in addition to teaching PE at Immanuel Lutheran School.
“Mr. Steffens is a Perryville Pirate through and through. He has really set an example of what it means to be a servant leader,” said District 32 Assistant Superintendent Craig Hayden. “From serving as a teacher and administrator to coaching and driving a bus, he has always been there to fill the needs of District 32 students.”
Mr. Steffens holds bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in administration from Southwest Baptist University. He was named the 2020 Citizen of the Year by The Republic-Monitor, and was twice voted Best Principal in Perry County by The R-M’s readers. Mr. Steffens and his wife Jill, his high-school sweetheart, have been married 31 years and have three adult children, Marcus, Madeline, and Trent.