Having served at St. Peter’s High School and Junior High for the past 22 years, Principal Tressa Reith is bidding St. Peter’s School adieu.
She formally announced her leaving to St. Peter’s students and families in a memo dated Monday, April 7, which states, “I’m not comfortable with the verb ‘resign,’ and I’m too young to retire, so I’m calling this ‘temporarily taking myself out of the work force.’”
Reith said that she feels the time is right to hand over the reins to a new principal so that she can devote more time to her family.
Her last day at St. Peter’s is slated for June 30.
Father Gregory Hite, pastor and superintendent, informed, “It is my intention to initiate a search process as soon as possible to secure continued educational leadership for our junior high and high school community.”
He further commented, “Mrs. Reith has faithfully served our parish and school throughout these past 22 years. She has dedicated herself wholeheartedly, offered countless hours beyond the normal school day, all for the benefit of our students and families. I thank her for her commitment to the ministry of Catholic education to our parish school over the years.”
Originally from Tiffin, Reith earned her bachelor’s in secondary English and speech education from Bowling Green State University. Thereafter, she taught at Central Catholic High School in Toledo, while taking courses to pursue a master’s in administration and supervision, which she fulfilled at the University of Dayton.
She was first welcomed to St. Peter’s School in 1992, when she served as assistant principal under Principal Richard Kennedy.
“To be able to work under Father Kennedy, who was fabulous, fabulous, that allowed me to learn the ropes from him and come to understand the St. Peter’s community,” Reith expressed.
Her first year as principal began in 1999, bringing her term total to 15 years—the longest principal’s term ever maintained at St. Peter’s High School and Junior High School, she said. Prior to her, the longest serving principal was her predecessor, Kennedy, who served for seven years.
“I think consistency is very good for a school,” she said. “If circumstances were different, I’d happily make that a longer term.”
Of her experience at St. Peter’s she said, “It’s been a very blessed time…The opportunity to work with the families here has been just such a gift. I’ve met some amazing people and learned so much. I think people go into education to share knowledge and impart knowledge, but I think we all also are very aware that part of the opportunity to be a teacher or be in education is that you also always learn.”
She added, “The people on staff are family, truly…” Not only have many of the staff members become like family to her, but she also met her husband, Bob Reith, (high school teacher) while at St. Peter’s. Their daughter, Emily Reith, also attended the school.
Reith said that she appreciate her “St. Peter’s family.” She praised Father Hite for his kindness and support over the years and noted that she was especially thankful of the sweet words he imparted to her after she notified him of her departure.
She also said that she values the freedom to express her faith at St. Peter’s School, especially when faced with difficult situations. “The opportunity to be able to pray in school and really rely on our faith and talk about it as we walked those journeys together was just such a blessing,” she said.
“I absolutely hope to return to Catholic education one day.”
