Lifelong District 140 Student, Teacher Lands On Top As Superintendent

TINLEY PARK, IL — His journey with Kirby District 140 began behind a student's desk, but decades later Dan Callaghan is seated in his own office, at a much bigger one.

A graduate of the district's schools and longtime teacher to its students, Callaghan has stepped into the role of superintendent and is eager to get started. His deep history with the district will help him lead the way.

"Living and working in this district for most of my life, I am very familiar with its initiatives, challenges, and the community itself," Callaghan told Patch. "We have supportive families with amazing students, a dedicated staff that ensures student success and well-being, and an administrative team and school board members that are committed to doing what’s best for our students and our community."

Callaghan knows the halls of the district's schools well. He attended Helen Keller Elementary School followed by Grissom Middle School, graduating in 1995. He went on to attend Andrew High School and then graduated from Trinity Christian College. He attained a master's degree in School Administration from Governors State University, and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis.

In his career's early days, e returned to his roots in the district as a third-grade teacher at Millennium Elementary School in the fall of 2003. After three years at Millennium, he moved on to Prairie View Middle School and began teaching PE/Fitness/Health.

His next step nine years later moved him into administration, first as Prairie View’s Assistant Principal and later as Principal of Bannes Elementary School. And from there, to the district office as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Now nearly 20 years later, he's reached the district's highest echelon, and he's learned a lot along the way.

"My leadership style was shaped by the people and experiences in my life," he told Patch. "First and foremost, I witnessed how my father led with integrity and his impact on his colleagues. He treated people with respect and brought out the best in everyone. I’ve tried to model myself after him. I also believe that playing team sports growing up helped shape me. I saw the immense value of 'team' and the benefits of everyone playing an essential role in helping the team reach a common goal.

Callaghan approaches management with "a healthy mix of transformational, collaborative, and servant leadership.

"I don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach," he said. "Just as our students learn in a variety of ways, I believe leaders must adapt their management style to bring out the best in their team. I believe we can produce great results by treating people with respect and stressing collaboration and innovation. Ultimately, every decision we make is to improve the classroom environment and the lives of our students."

Taking on a leadership role while transitioning through a pandemic presents unique challenges, Callaghan said, and he knows it will be difficult to find "normal" again.

"Several unprecedented factors have impacted education over the past few years," Callaghan said. "This year, my goal is to develop and maintain an educational environment that optimizes opportunities for every student and staff member. This will be done through respectful and collaborative working relationships with staff and community members; a strong, differentiated curriculum that prioritizes students; and sound financial planning and transparency. Fostering a safe climate and a culture of communication and trust are essential to our District."

On a personal note, Callaghan just celebrated his eleventh wedding anniversary with his wife Melissa. They have four children: Caleb, 10; Cooper, 8; Cain, 4; and Cecilia, 11 months. He can often be found coaching or cheering on the sidelines at his older sons’ baseball and football games in New Lenox.

His mother, Maryannelle, taught at the Tinley Park Park District Pre-School for 23 years, and his brother, Kevin, is a Dean at Andrew High School.

"I guess you could say education is in my blood," Callaghan said.

Kirby District 140 students are back to school August 24.