Renee, Jeff Woods honored to help build lives one child at a time
Millersburg Principal Renee Woods, pictured here with Deacon Hood, has served Holmes County as an educator and administrator for more than three decades. She and her husband Jeff were tabbed as Holmes County Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Educators of the Year, and both are retiring at the end of this school year.
Each year the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce honors an educator who has made a monumental impact on Holmes County.
This past year saw the chamber unable to separate a pair of educators who have dedicated themselves to serving students, families, their school district and county.
One reason the 2024 Holmes County Chamber Educator of the Year recipients were co-honored was because they are both retiring this year after nearly 70 combined years of service.
The other reason is they are married.
Renee and Jeff Woods were honored as this year’s co-recipients of the award, and each have a glowing resume that has seen them positively impact the lives of thousands of children and their families during their time serving Holmes County as educators.
Presenter Shasta Mast said recognizing the hard work of educators and their commitment is an inspiration.
Jeff Woods has served the past many years as principal at West Holmes Middle School while also serving as a longtime wrestling coach. Renee Woods has spent her time as principal, most recently at Millersburg Elementary.
“Together, they have each dedicated more than 30 years shaping the lives of children, teachers and our community,” Mast said. “Their passion for education, their commitment to their students and their staff are nothing sort of extraordinary. As mentors to teachers, they have created an environment of growth and collaboration.”
She said in sharing principal duties, they have been able to share the load while challenging one another, making them both better at their jobs while bettering the lives of young people.
Renee Woods spoke about teaching children to develop good leadership skills while also learning to be kind to one another.
As both a principal and a wrestling coach, Jeff Woods said building up young people with strong character who can become productive members of society is something he has always cherished.
Renee Woods said the most memorable moments that shine through for her have been hearing from former students who have gone on to find success and hearing them thank her for what she has done.
“Those types of things are pretty special,” she said.
She said one of the most critical attributes of being an educator is the act of loving every child who comes through the door each day because there is no knowing what home life is like for a child, but when they are in an educator’s world, sharing love and compassion and building self-esteem in each child is what teaching is all about.
“Above all of the curriculum is caring about who each child is and letting them know school is a safe place,” Renee Woods said.
She began her career as a teacher at the Holmes County Training Center before moving into education in West Holmes School District 23 years ago. She then moved into the world of administration and said she was terrified but quickly realized she was surrounded by an amazing staff of teachers at every turn.
She then thanked her family, her children and especially her husband, whom she said has been a rock for her throughout her career.
“There’s no way I could have done this for as long as I have if I didn’t have him to come home to and share this experience side-by-side,” Renee Woods said. “We shared our frustrations, our challenges, our good moments. He gives me advice, he keeps me grounded and he puts up with my emotions.”
In typical Jeff Woods style, following Renee’s impassioned speech at the award ceremony, he stepped to the microphone and said “Ditto,” bringing a huge roar from the crowd.
He did go on to share more honestly about his tenure in serving 35 years in the education realm, noting that while the chamber meeting honors its business award winners, educators are in a similar boat.
“We’re in the business of kids,” Jeff Woods said, adding it has been an honor to be a part of helping young people grow and develop into the future leaders of Holmes County and beyond.
He then turned his attention to his wife and praised her for her commitment to caring so deeply for children.
“I am not half the principal my wife is,” Jeff Woods said. “She does an awesome job.”
Both expressed gratitude about teaching in Holmes County and in the West Holmes School District for so many years.
“We’re blessed and thankful to be where we’re at,” Jeff Woods said. “Holmes County has been awesome, and I’ve worked with so many awesome people. It’s been an awesome ride.”
“It’s been an amazing 34 years, and it’s a special place to work,” Renee Woods said.