There’s a friendly sense of calm in the voice of Steven Reynolds, Wyoming Intermediate School’s new principal.
It’s present in his message that educating fifth- and sixth-graders requires a strong web of support — advocates who have open ears and open hearts.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” said Reynolds, a lifelong comic book fan who often uses the words of Spider-Man’s uncle as his own mantra as an educator.
‘You get them at a really ripe moment in their academic career where you can really push boundaries with them.’
— Steven Reynolds, Wyoming Intermediate School principal
Reynolds’ love for the intermediate level of school — and how he has connected with students by way of Marvel and DC superheroes over the years — came to light during a conversation about his new position.
Read on to learn more:
Previous jobs in education:
- Interim principal at Harrison Park Academy in Grand Rapids Public Schools, 2023-24
- Assistant principal at Riverside Middle School, 2022-23
- Sixth-grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy for five years
- Director of programs at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center for the U.S. Department of Labor
- Eighth-grade English teacher at Vista Charter Academy
- Fifth-grade teacher at New Branches Academy
How about jobs outside education? Reynolds spent two decades in banking. “This is a second career for me. I’ve been in education for the past 15-20 years, but before that I was in finance.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in business management, University of Phoenix
- Associate degree, Grand Rapids Community College
- Teaching certification, Grand Valley State University
- Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, Grand Valley State University
What would you like to share about your family? “My wife, Adrianne Houser, is a math interventionist at East Elementary in Grandville Public Schools. We are a blended family with three adult children.”
Why did you decide to switch careers to education? Reynolds has coached a variety of sports including football, basketball and soccer over many years. People often noticed his ability to connect with children.
“Parents would say, ‘Hey Reynolds, where do you teach?’” he recalled. “People would assume I was in education, and I wasn’t. A friend of the family pulled me aside and said, ‘You really need to go into education; you’re great with kids.”
That message hit home even more when, for his job with the bank, he began teaching Junior Achievement classes to third-graders at the former Campau Park Elementary.
“It was wild! I walked in and the teacher introduced me, and all these third-graders ran up to me and hugged me,” he recalled. “The teacher I got to work with was incredible, very welcoming.”
During his last visit, the principal asked him to come to her office — an intimidating experience even for an adult, he said.
“We talked, and she said,‘You ever think about teaching?’ I said, ‘No ma’am,’ and she said, ‘Maybe you should.’”
Reynolds listened and decided it was time for a career change.
What drew you to this district/building? Reynolds said he was eager to work with fifth- and sixth-graders again.
“As an educator, there’s a unique opportunity to work with students in that age range. You get them at a really ripe moment in their academic career where you can really push boundaries with them. Their interests are vast and many, and it’s a great opportunity to tap into them, as an educator.”
As for joining the Wyoming Wolves, he said he was attracted to the size of the district: small enough to have a real community feel.
“You get to partner with some of the decision-makers and to partner with our parent groups more intentionally,” he said
How will you encourage student voice in your building? Reynolds said he is passionate about serving as an advocate for students, while receiving input from them and listening to their ideas.
“(At WPS), the program and system are in place to encourage student voice. (Wyoming Intermediate School) has a student advocate group, and the district is very serious about that — to the point the superintendent is involved.”
What historical figure would you love to spend the day with? “I’m a huge comic book fan, so Stan Lee, creator for Marvel Comics.”
Tell me more about your interest in comics. Reynolds said his two uncles introduced him to the world of superheroes and villains.
“I got to grow up in an era when Saturday morning cartoons were a thing. … I gravitated toward superheros and comics,” he said, reminiscing over reading about The Incredible Hulk and Thor on his porch in Jersey City, where he grew up.
At Riverside Middle School, he found “kindred spirits” who shared his hobby. As assistant principal, he started a comic book club. Eleven students found joy in the collection of comic books Reynolds stocked with help from donors in the media center.
You know I have to ask: Who is your favorite superhero? “Batman is my all-time favorite. Spider-Man is another one of my all-time favorites.”
Reynolds recalled that as a new teacher he connected with a student who shared his love for Spider-Man. He is still friends with that student.
“Spider-Man happened to be his favorite character. From there I could push him academically, and he was OK … He trusted me. I think that’s because of Spider-Man.”
Read more from Wyoming:
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• Dune ride caps learning for English language biology students
