An experienced school administrator and Illinois native is the new principal of Monroe School.
The Community Consolidated District 181 Board approved a one-year contract with Kristin Reingruber at its May 4 meeting.
Reingruber comes to District 181 after 13 years with North Palos District 117, where she served most recently as principal of Glen Oaks Elementary School and previously as assistant principal (Oak Ridge Elementary School), curriculum team leader (Oak Ridge Elementary School) and Technology Instruction Coordinator (districtwide). She began her career as a fourth grade teacher at Irving Elementary School in Berwyn District 100.
“We are impressed with Mrs. Reingruber’s qualifications and look forward to her taking the helm at Monroe School,” said board President Margaret Kleber. “We have high standards for our school leaders, and Kristin’s track record proves that she has the drive and qualities that we look for on our administrative leadership team.”
Reingruber, who lives in Brookfield with her husband, Mike, and kindergarten-age son, Tyler, is an Illinois native originally from the small town of Ladd. She said her drive to serve as an educator springs from an innate desire to help others.
“I’ve always felt like I’m the kind of person who wants to take care of people and do whatever I can to meet their needs or help them become a better version of themselves,” she said.
“Kristin’s enthusiasm, passion for education, focus on collaboration and success in her previous leadership roles made her a standout candidate for this position,” said Hector Garcia, District 181 superintendent. “We are excited to introduce her to the Monroe community and look forward to her joining our administrative team.”
A former volleyball player, Reingruber said her “coaching mentality” drives her leadership style.
“I like to listen to people and understand their perspective,” she said. “When you see where someone is coming from, you can work with them and see what will best meet their needs. I appreciate that everyone is different, so you have to meet them where they are and coach them to that next level.”
Teamwork is another cornerstone of her philosophy.
“When we all come together for a collective purpose and work together to meet the needs of our students, that’s when we experience success. It’s not an individual thing but something that we all have a hand in,” she said.
In coming to District 181, Reingruber said she’s particularly excited about the unique attributes of Monroe.
“It’s clearly a special school and I love how the Living Garden and Monroe Bees bring the community together,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with a new group of leaders and teachers. It’s inspiring and invigorating for me to challenge myself and try something new.”
Formerly a triathlon and Ironman competitor, Kristin describes her family as “outdoorsy and active.”
“We do a lot of hiking, a lot of walks and runs,” she said. “We love to be out in nature.”
Her first official day on the job will be July 1. She replaces Justin Horne, who will be the new principal at Timothy Christian School in Elmhurst, where he and his family live. She will earn $109,000 her first year.
