There are commonalities between the business and education worlds, something of which Chris Reid is well aware.
Reid, recently named the new principal at Blythe Park School, said communication and relationships are crucial in both environments.
“I communicated with suppliers and was involved with training employees, and I think communication was key,” he said, adding that, “the ability to collect data and look at decision-making crosses over greatly in education.”
Reid, who is replacing Casimira Gorman at Blythe Park School, has more than 20 years of education experience at Community Consolidated School District 181 in the Hinsdale area. His was a hybrid role between administration and pupil services coordinator. After his previous business career at a machinery firm that built hydraulic manifolds, he broke into teaching at Hinsdale Middle School.
He said he is ready to take on the challenge of a school deemed Exemplary by the 2024-25 Illinois Report Card. Gorman, who led Blythe Park School for 12 years, is moving on to the role of district director of teaching and learning, replacing Angela Dolezal, who departed in late March.
“I’m fortunate that Ms. Gorman is going to stay in the district,” he said. “It’s a good sign when people move up and want to stay in the district. District 96 has great resources and great parental involvement and collaboration. Those are all things I appreciated in District 181.”
District superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye said recently that Reid is ready for his next step and agreed it is a major plus that Gorman is staying within the district.
“I am very confident he understands a high-functioning and successful school,” she said. “Casimira makes sure she mentors and guides, (and) one of the most important aspects of our job is support at the building level and support that principal.”
Reid was chosen from a pool of around 40 applicants, and while some candidates might have been intimidated by a substantial district interview team, including parents, he saw it as a challenge.
“It was kind of exciting,” he said. “I thought the community was great. It was nice to know they were doing their due diligence to vet and hire the right person for the job.”
Reid spent time at Blythe Park School on Tuesday to familiarize himself with teachers, staff and students.
“I will say, it was interesting,” he said. “I got to see a fourth-grade class leaving music, and the fifth graders were eager to meet me, but at the same time, they knew I wasn’t going to be their principal, (as) they are going on to Hauser.”
But that’s what he enjoys about education, which you don’t get in the business world.
Working daily with youngsters.
“You’re always surprised and delighted by them,” Reid said. “It’s not hard to smile when working with children. It’s a calling. You see kids grow and achieve so far beyond what you expected.”
He’s also looking forward to the new Blythe Park School playground, a collaborative effort between the Riverside School District 96 and the village.
“We had some new playgrounds come in during my tenure at District 181,” he said. “It allows for activity and entertainment, but also the social dynamics of lunch recess is so important for development.”