Jen Wood
I am thrilled to join the Odyssey community this year. Odyssey hasbeen a special place to me since its inception when I had the
opportunity to mentor one of the founding teachers. The thing I love
the most about Odyssey is the incredible passion, energy and love of
learning that everyone brings to help children become passionate and
energetic learners themselves. This is a great place for powerful
thinking for both children and adults.
My most recent teaching experience comes from RMSEL, where I was a
4th and 5th grade teacher for the last 10 years. In 2000 and 2001, I
stepped out of the classroom to work as a Literacy Coach here at
Odyssey half-time and run the RMSEL/Odyssey teacher preparation
program for the other half of my time. At the end of 2002, the
classroom pull was too strong. I went back to teaching 4th and 5th
grade at RMSEL until the opportunity came to be the Instructional
Coach at the two places I love most, RMSEL and Odyssey.
I grew up in Fort Collins as the youngest of three. Growing up in
Fort Collins set my love of Colorado. I went to CSU and got my
degree in Human Development and Family Studies and then moved to
Denver to finish my teaching degree. I got my Masters Degree in
Teaching and Learning at Regis University. I taught in both private
and public schools for 6 years before RMSEL.
I am married to a wonderful man named Brian who, as a former chef
and current wine salesman, fuels my energy with fabulous gourmet
meals and great wine. I have a beautiful 14 year old daughter,
Alex, who spent her K-8 career at RMSEL until this year when she
left that nest for Littleton's IB program. She is the light of my
life- even in the torrential teenage years.
My single greatest passion outside of school is reading. On Sunday
mornings, you will always find me with a cup of coffee and the New
York Times. I can't really survive without a great novel or piece of
non-fiction. Every few years I have to part with some of my books
because my collection of "can't live without" books never stop growing.