Reid School's Principal and Staff

Dr. Ethna R. Reid

Dr. Ethna R. Reid is founder and director of the Exemplary Center for Reading Instruction (ECRI) and Reid School in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She has been an elementary and secondary teacher, a principal, and a supervisor in public schools.

Dr. Reid has taught graduate courses at the University of Utah, the University of California on several campuses, and other universities such as the University of North Carolina.  As director of ECRI, she conducts seminars and other staff development activities for educators in the 50 states, the U.S. territories, and foreign countries.  Funding to offer in-service for districts and schools for many years came from U.S. Department of Education grants. “I know of no other national program which can ‘turn a teacher around’ as surely and productively as ECRI.”  – Charles A. Weed, Regional Facilitator (NY).  “Dr. Reid consistently conveys success but also requires that students work hard.  [She] expects achievement from but also demands excellence from well-prepared, knowledgeable teachers.  Dr. Reid demands more of herself than she requires from any of the rest of us.”  – George F. Towery, Principal (VA).  As principal of Reid School, accolades are received from many parents whose students have experienced significant changes academically, socially, and creatively.  Reid School teachers provide the excellent instruction required by ECRI.

She has authored the following texts published by Cove Publishers:  Teaching Vocabulary (Eight Methods) and Teaching Letter Names and Sounds, Teaching Spelling and Teaching Proofing Through Dictation, Teaching Manuscript and Cursive Penmanship, Teaching Comprehension (Literal, Interpretative, Critical, and Creative), Critical Thinking and Specialized Study Skills:  Learning to Use Resources Necessary for Effective Reading, Teaching Scheduling and Record Keeping, Teaching Literature, Teaching Writing (Creative and Expository), Books 1 and 2, Teaching Punctuation, Teaching Science and Reading, Teaching Social Studies and Reading, and Personally Speaking. She co-authored Teaching Grammar for Sentence Reading and Writing (Two Volumes), Analyzing Sentences 1, 2, and 3, and ECRI’s Informal Reading Inventory (IRI), Parts 1 and 2.  She authored two additional IRI’s, Parts 3, 4 and 5.

Dr. Reid has been on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association (IRA) and is former president and state chairperson for the Utah Council of IRA.

Dr. Reid is one of the “influencers” described in the book Influencer – the Power to Change Anything published by McGraw Hill, 2008.  “In the past [30 years], Dr. Reid has done more to improve the lives of teachers and children at the grassroots level than any other individual I met during my career in the US Department of Education.”  – Dr. Lee Wickline, Former Director of the National Diffusion Network, US Department of Education.  “Educators, parents, business leaders and students owe Dr. Reid a debt which is impossible to repay.  Through the insight and creativity of Dr. Reid’s programs… we are given the power to change and enhance our lives.  She is a genius.”  – Dr. Kellie Cohen, Director of Special Education (Fort Smith Public Schools, AK)

Dr. Mervin R. Reid

Dr. Mervin R. Reid, president of Reid School Inc., received a bachelor of science degree in Biology, a master of science degree in Zoology, and completed his class work and much of his research for a doctor of philosophy in entomology when he was appointed to an administrative position in the field of public health.  Following his appointment in public health, he changed his studies and received a Doctorate of Public Administration from Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Dr. Reid served as administrator of environmental services in the Davis County Health Department and director of the Bureau of General Sanitation, Utah Department of Health, and has authored many of Utah’s regulations and booklets pertaining to environmental health.

Active in community affairs (especially honored for his work in the Boy Scouts of America) and owner of Reid Ranch, a guest ranch that serves large groups, Dr. Mervin Reid lends his expertise to students and teachers at Reid School.  Students address him as “Mr. Dr. Reid.”

Talented, Skillful, and Responsive Staff

Teachers at Reid School have teaching certificates and excellent backgrounds in education, are well qualified for their positions, have received specialized in-service to teach at Reid School, and are dedicated to their students’ education.  They have attended university classes to learn to use ECRI, KRS, and Enriching a Child’s Literacy Environment (ECLE) – another validated U.S. Department of Education program.  Reid School staff members recognize the importance of communicating and collaborating with parents.