CHESTER — Timothy “Tim” Blair is the new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Chester Grade School. Blair was hired shortly after former Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, David Kaiser resigned toward the end of the summer of 2021 to accept other employment closer to his home.
Timothy Blair sits the desk in his office at Chester Grade School. Blair is the new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at CGS and is adjusting well to his new position. For the pat 10-years Blair has taught Middle School Science at Spring Garden Middle School in Ina, Illinois. He also served as basketball, baseball and track coach as well as drove a school bus. He loves his new position at CGS and says that everyone at CGS functions as if they are all part of a big CGS family!
Jim Beers Photo
Blair was born in 1986 in Red Bud, Illinois to William and Kathleen Blair. He was raised on a family farm in Sparta.
Blair attended elementary school at Sparta Lincoln. He ran track and cross country in Jr, High and played the tenor saxophone. He was a member of the Beta Club and maintained good grades throughout grade school and graduated from Sparta Lincoln Grade in good standing in 2001.
Following grade school Blair attended Sparta High School for his secondary education. While a high school student Blair continued to run for the Bulldog Cross Country Team and the Sparta Track and Field Team. He was a distance runner and enjoyed the mile, 2-mile and other distance events.
Living on a family farm, Blair maintained an interest in agriculture throughout his high school years and became active in the Sparta Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). He was President of the FFA at least one of his years at Sparta High School and he enjoyed participating in many of the FFA activities.
He continued to have good grades all four years at Sparta and was inducted into the Sparta Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS).
Blair said, “Once I got to high school I became so busy with helping my father on our family farm that I quit playing the saxophone. I kept running track and cross country, but had little time for much else.”
“On our farm we raised corn and soy beans and had about 70 cows. I enjoyed helping my Dad and learned a lot about the farming business over the years.”
After graduating from Sparta High School in 2005, Blair began his post-secondary education at Rend Lake College in Ina. He spent two years at Rend Lake and earned an Associate’s Degree in Agriculture Business in 2007.
Upon completing that degree, Blair transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where he earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Elementary Education. His specialized area of interest was in Middle School Science. He graduated from SIU-C in 2010.
For the past 10 years Blair has taught middle school science at Spring Garden Middle School in Ina, Illinois. He also coached baseball, softball, and track during that decade. In addition, he drove a school bus for his school.
During his time at Spring Garden, Blair spent two years of evenings, 2018-2020, studying at McKendree University to earn a Master’s Degree in School Administration. He also became certified to be a principal.
Mr. Blair has been married to his wife, Ariel for seven years. She is a dental assistant and has been attending Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) to be a nurse.
Blair said. “In our spare time we love to take trips and enjoy hiking. I love watching all sports and still enjoy helping my dad on our farm. Ariel likes to bake, cook and travel. We love going on vacations.”
When asked how he is adjusting to life at CGS and as an assistant Principal and Athletic Director, Blair said, “I won’t lie, I am learning a lot every day. The AD position is challenging and I am still learning the duties of Assistant Principal.”
“Regarding our faculty and staff, it seems like everyone functions like a big family! Since everyone gets along so well, my job has been enjoyable. I commute to Sparta every day, but it is a really manageable 20-minute drive. All is well!”