Chris trained to be a Primary School teacher at Matlock teacher training college specialising in teaching infants. After training Chris worked in Nottingham. This was followed by working as an infant teacher at Farm Street School, Hockley, Birmingham. The rest of her career was spent working for Derbyshire Local Authority in various schools: North Wingfield School, Brampton School, Deer Park School, Hollingwood School and Hunloke Park School.