Mrs. Reeder: Nardin's New President

Adeline Williams '26  ~  November/December 2023

I recently had the privilege of speaking to Nardin Academy’s very own president, Mrs. Reeder. She has been working at Nardin for nearly 40 years, including being a Regents and AP biology teacher, guidance counselor, and the principal. She never thought, though, that she would be the president of Nardin, let alone any other school. When she was growing up, in fact, she wanted to be a physical education teacher; Reeder always knew that she wanted to teach kids. Mrs. Reeder grew up in Alden, New York, attending St. Mary’s of Lancaster for high school as it was the closest Catholic school to her. In high school, Mrs. Reeder played the guitar, including for her school’s musicals, and played quite a few sports. Reeder went on to study at D’Youville for her undergraduate degree, received her master’s at Buffalo State, and completed some additional work right around the corner at Canisius College. Prior to working at Nardin Academy, Mrs. Reeder taught both seventh and eighth grade at St. Gregory School. 

After working at Nardin Academy for so long, Mrs. Reeder can confidently say that her favorite part of the school is the people. She describes the faculty and students as a “wonderful community, it is a pleasure coming into Nardin everyday.” Once Reeder retired in June of 2021, she enjoyed spending her time out in Arizona with her daughter and two grandchildren. Her daughter, as a matter of fact, is a Nardin alumna: she went to the academy from Montessori all the way through high school. After being in retirement for two years, Reeder does not think of coming back as a challenge, but was simply excited to see everyone at the school again. The only challenge she felt was the new responsibilities of being the president of the school. Reeder explains, though, that she was not afraid, but rather loves a good challenge! 

After being back at Nardin Academy for a semester, Mrs. Reeder explained that the highlight of her fall at the school was the All Academy Mass of the Holy Spirit. She went on to tell me that it was so exciting to see the whole school together in the JVZ Gymnasium, a facility that Reeder never was able to see in use until now. One of the biggest differences she has felt at the academy since coming back is that the high school now has uniforms. Another difference she has noticed is simply that there are new faculty members that she is excited to get to know better, as Mrs. Reeder was used to knowing the entire Nardin faculty. 

Currently, Mrs. Reeder loves to play golf as it is always refreshing to be outside; she wishes she had more time to play. Another hobby of hers is reading: when reading a good mystery, she can finish it in one day! Reeder also enjoys doing service work wherever needed. Lastly, I asked Mrs. Reeder if there was anything else she would like to say, and she stated, “I am happy to be back and serve for everyone here. I look forward to meeting more students through various activities.” It was truly a pleasure to meet with Mrs. Reeder, our lovely Nardin Academy president.