Allen Lake, Principal
[email protected]
785.235.7280
State Street Elementary is excited to welcome Mr. Allen Lake as the school's new principal. After proudly serving as assistant principal since 2024, Mr. Lake is honored to continue leading the State Street community in his new role.
Mr. Lake is dedicated to student success, fostering a positive school culture, and building strong partnerships with families and staff. He earned a Bachelor of Education (K–6) with an emphasis in Special Education from Washburn University, a Master of Science in High-Incidence Special Education from Emporia State University, and a Master of Educational Leadership from Kansas State University.
With more than a decade of experience in Topeka Public Schools, Mr. Lake has served as a special education teacher, consulting teacher, third- and fifth-grade classroom teacher at McEachron Elementary, and a building administrator intern at Randolph Elementary. Throughout his career, he has been committed to creating engaging learning environments where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. In addition to his school leadership, Mr. Lake has contributed to numerous district initiatives, including the Summer Academic Learning Program, the Building Leadership Team, Ci3T Team, Math Curriculum and Assessment Team, and the Innovation Academy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with the district's video team to create instructional lessons and online learning resources for students across the district. His commitment to excellence in education earned him recognition as the 2024 Kansas Elementary Teacher of the Year nominee for Region 2.
Mr. Lake and his wife, Cynthia, are proud parents of two amazing people, and cherish their role as grandparents to two beautiful grandsons. As a family, they enjoy attending sporting events and cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas State Wildcats , and the Kansas City Chiefs.
As principal, Mr. Lake is excited to continue the tradition of excellence at State Street Elementary. He is committed to inspiring students to achieve and believe in themselves by fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Working in partnership with families and staff, he is dedicated to helping every student grow academically, socially, and emotionally so they can become the best version of themselves—both at school and beyond.
"Our students are our future. Go Stars!"
Amy Glinka, Assistant Principal
[email protected]
785.235.7280
State Street Elementary is excited to welcome Amy Glinka as the school's assistant principal for the 2026–2027 school year.
Mrs. Glinka brings 27 years of experience with Topeka Public Schools, where she has served in a variety of roles, including special education teacher, classroom teacher, instructional coach, and most recently, special education consulting teacher. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to creating positive, safe, and engaging learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed. She values strong partnerships between families and schools and believes that open communication and collaboration are essential to supporting student success.
Outside of school, Mrs. Glinka enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband have a 19-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter, who keep them busy with sports and activities. They enjoy spending time outdoors, attending sporting events, and cheering on the Jayhawks.
As assistant principal, Mrs. Glinka looks forward to working alongside students, staff, and families to support academic achievement, student well-being, and a positive school culture. She is excited to become part of the State Street Elementary community and looks forward to meeting families at school events and throughout the upcoming school year.