Matt Wood was named the new principal of Pea Ridge High School by School Board members Monday night filling the vacancy which was created by the resignation of Jon Laffoon, principal for the past four years.
Wood, currently principal of Pea Ridge Middle School, said: "Basically, the reason I want to take on this challenge is because I love the innovative way this district thinks -- inspiring kids, with college and career, providing them with opportunities outside the traditional box of high school education. It's something that is very important to kids in today's world."
Wood, a native of Rogers, earned his bachelors degree from University of Arkansas and his master's degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State. He taught at Pea Ridge for seven years, teaching both math and science, and served in 2012 and 2013 as assistant high school principal before being named Middle School principal in 2014.
He said his years at the high school helped him develop relationships with the teachers there and he looks forward to mentoring students.
"I see the value of school, not just as an academic education, but to help them be successful in life," he said. "I feel like Pea Ridge High School has such a great foundation because of the community that supports the school. I feel like we have an opportunity to make our high school one of the best high schools around, especially this year with the innovation of flex mod schedule allowing students and teachers opportunities to individualize learning. I think that's very unique."
"I became a teacher because I've always enjoyed doing things where I think I can make a difference," Wood said, adding that he worked at a camp for kids when he was in college. His mother is an educator and ran an early childhood education program for 27 years.
Wood and his wife, Sara, are expecting their first child in July.
Laffoon submitted his resignation and was hired as the school superintendent in Star City.
General News on 05/11/2016