2018-2019
New Staff Members

Mr. James Wilson, Principal
Written by Braydon Bell and Reese Ricketts

James “Ja” Wilson attended Indiana State University, University of Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky University.  He has a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.).
He taught at Daviess County Public Schools in Owensboro, Kentucky, and was assistant principal.  He was Chief Strategist at Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation prior to coming to WMHS.
His hobbies include fishing and spending time with his family.

Mr. Bo Daves
Written by Nathan Stephens

Bo Daves attended Indiana University Southeast for his teaching degree.  He has never taught anywhere else before coming to WMHS. He currently teaches Intro to Business, Intro to Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Digital Apps, Financial Literacy, and Work-Based Learning.
He enjoys playing baseball, football, corn-hole, and watching his son playing sports.

Dr. Devon Schlottman
Written by Canyon Duncan

Dr. Devon Schlottman is Wood Memorial High School’s new Geometry and Physics teacher.  She previously taught Math at Oakland City University for 14 years.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree in applied math at Indiana University, her master’s degree in applied math from Indiana State University, and her doctorate in education from Oakland City University.
In her spare time she enjoys hiking, swimming, watching movies and spending time with her family.

 

Ms. Sally Morton
Written by Braydon Bell

Sally Morton went to Vincennes University and University of Southern Indiana for nursing.  She received her teaching degree from Ball State online.  She has never taught in a school before, but she has taught a birthing class at Deaconess Women’s Hospital.
She currently teaches Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Anatomy and Physiology, Health Science, and Medical Terms.
She enjoys watching her sons’ sports games, exercising, and playing golf with her family.

Ms. Meredith Reyna
Written by Canyon Duncan

Our school’s new Spanish teacher is Ms. Meredith Reyna.  Before she became a Trojan, she taught middle school and high school foreign language in Missouri for 5 years.  She attended college at St. Louis University.
She enjoys traveling and trivia.  Ms. Reyna wants to be on Jeopardy someday and she can even juggle.

 

Ms. Maria Gantner
Written  by Braydon Bell

Maria Gantner attended Vincennes University and Indiana State University for her undergraduate degree, and Oakland City University to obtain her master’s degree.
She has taught at North Posey, Mater Dei, Highland Elementary, Henderson County, Owensboro Catholic, and Union County. She currently teaches English 10 and English Lab.
She enjoys reading, watching movies (especially Star Wars), and shopping.

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2016-2017

Ms. Laramy Parke
Chatta Owen and Alex Bates

Ms. Laramy Parke is one of the many new teachers that have come to Wood this year. Initially, she filled in for Mrs. Harris, teaching biology and advanced environmental science. However, once she found the junior high and high school health positions were available, she took the opportunity to use her health and physical education degree to teach her passion: nutrition, health, physical fitness, and sports.
Her first impression of the school came when she attended it, as she is also a Wood alumni. She genuinely enjoys the environment, faculty, students, and the memories she was able to build there as a student. Now she looks forward to providing students with a great health education while they build upon theirs. Her outlook for the year is that it will be the best year yet.

Ms. Lauren Norvell
Chatta Owen and Alex Bates

     Ms. Lauren Norvell, a recently-employed teacher at Wood Memorial High School, instructs biology and advanced environmental science. She is a Wood alumni, and she teaches with her two aides, Skylar and Sesame (an American Kestrel and Eastern box turtle, respectively). She has chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs, three children, and raptors. When asked what her first impression of the school and the students was, Ms. Norvell said that she noticed they were about the same as they were when she went here.
She feels her motivation, desire to seek excellence, thoroughness and organization have helped her come this far. Though she feels there is a definite difference in motivation, Ms. Norvell has said she looks forward to raising the bar and forming a personal relationship with her students. Her advice for first-time students? Give your best, and she’ll give hers.

Ms.  Leslie Jordan
Chatta Owen and Alex Bates

     This year, there has been a flood of new teachers, including Ms. Jordan. She is the new teacher for senior government and junior high history. She came to Wood because she likes the area, but also because her friend, Mrs. Blackgrove, had raved about the school. She comes from Jasper, and she is an IUPUI alumni.
When asked about the first thing she noted about the school, she commented on how nice everyone is. After working in inner-city Indianapolis, this comes as no surprise to us, but I digress. She has three years of teaching experience, and her favourite part about the school so far is how hard-working, nice, and cooperative everyone is. Her outlook for the year? That things will be turned around and that history will become fun for her students.