By the time the final bell rings at Wylie High School, most people are winding down. For Reagan Berry, it’s often just a shift - from principal to mom, from campus leader to the steady heartbeat of her own home.
That balance took center stage recently on the On Time for Mom Time podcast, where Berry joined hosts Brittany Pelletz and Stacie Lopez - both Wylie moms with children in Wylie ISD - for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like sitting across the table with a friend.
Berry’s story doesn’t begin with a plan to lead a high school. In fact, her degree is in finance and real estate. But as graduation approached, a simple conversation with her dad - a coach and lifelong educator - nudged her toward the classroom. One teaching job in 2008 turned into a calling that’s still unfolding today.
Berry shared that she was raised in the hallways of a high school, describing school not simply as a workplace, but as a way of life. That perspective continues to shape how she leads at Wylie High School.
Whether she’s cheering at a pep rally, walking the halls between classes, or having a tough conversation with a parent, Berry approaches each moment with a blend of energy and empathy. She also spoke openly about how motherhood has deepened her understanding of both students and families.
As a mom of three, Berry said that perspective has helped her lead with both grace and accountability. It has strengthened the way she connects with parents and reminded her that schools and families work best when they are on the same team, all focused on what is best for children.
There is also humility in the way Berry views leadership. She never set out with a goal of becoming a principal. Instead, she simply wanted to do work she loved and do it well. Over time, that steady approach helped build trust, relationships, and a school culture where students feel both supported and challenged.
Now, that impact is expanding.
As she transitions into her new role as Director of Federal and State Programs, Berry will take on a districtwide view that reaches beyond the high school campus. Her focus will be on strengthening programs, identifying new opportunities, and helping ensure resources are used in ways that directly benefit students across Wylie ISD.
It is the kind of work that often happens behind the scenes, but its impact can be felt in classrooms, in opportunities, and in the everyday experiences of students and staff.
Through the conversation, one theme kept rising to the surface - community.
Even as Wylie ISD continues to grow, Berry spoke about the importance of holding onto the close-knit feel that makes the district special. It is the kind of place where students are known, families are connected, and pride still runs deep in purple and gold.
Maybe that is why her story resonates so easily.
Because this is not just a story about a principal stepping into a new role. It is about a mom juggling schedules, a leader investing in people, and a district working hard to grow without losing what matters most.
And in those everyday moments - the loud pep rallies, the quiet porch evenings, the conversations that shape a child’s future - you can see it clearly.
It’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.
To hear the full conversation, download the KTAB+ app or watch the embedded video above.