This story part of a series highlighting local school superintendents as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition!
For Kyle Rydell, superintendent of West Valley School District since 2019, leadership means showing up—whether it’s visiting schools, speaking from a podium, on the sidelines, or behind the wheel of a school bus.
A proud 1992 graduate of Central Valley High School, Rydell earned degrees from Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Washington State University. His academic and professional journey shows his strong ties to his community and his dedication to public education.
Rydell praises his parents as his earliest mentors. They encouraged and coached him through sports, school, and pursuing a meaningful career that also involved the important responsibility of educating young people. His parents showed integrity, both as individuals and as a couple, which laid a strong foundation of involvement. Today, that sense of involvement drives Rydell’s commitment to being a visible, active presence in the lives of students, staff, and the West Valley community.
Always quick to credit coaches, colleagues, and family members for helping build his leadership strengths, Rydell makes a special point to mention his wife and children. He credits them with teaching him lessons in leadership every day. “They’ve been honest, supportive, and they’ve always kept me grounded in what matters most,” he says. “Their support and feedback have informed not only how I lead but also how I develop leadership skills in others.”
For Rydell, leadership is about more than policy and administration — it’s about building a community that shows up and participates, whether it’s driving a bus, helping at track meets, attending robotics competitions, watching a play, or cheering from the stands. These simple, everyday moments remind him of the impact each staff member and student has on the district’s collective success.
Some of Rydell’s most meaningful experiences come from simply being present—listening to students share their dreams, supporting staff through challenges, or showing up for a performance when a familiar face in the crowd means everything. “The job of a superintendent can be a lonely one if you let it,” Rydell says, “but when you engage deeply with your schools and community, you realize just how connected and rewarding the work is.”
Rydell is extremely proud of his team and the collaborative, innovative ways staff work together to offer 16 diverse pathways to prepare students for success beyond graduation, regardless of their chosen route. These programs demonstrate a commitment to developing young people not only academically but also personally and professionally. “We have amazing students ready to lead the next generation,” he says. “And we have staff and a school board that give their all to help build that foundation.”
Whether sitting in the bleachers or visiting classrooms, Rydell is committed to helping every student feel they belong, succeed, and achieve.
Learn more about how you can support GSI’s IN School’s campaign to foster stronger connections between our schools and the communities they serve.