An Interview with SDS Dean Adam Woods

We were excited to have St. Dominic School Dean Adam Woods, an experienced and passionate educator, join our community in July. He has quickly acclimated to our campus! Having come from a background in grades 7-12, he is particularly enthusiastic about the “joy” the younger kids bring to the school every day. 

Our SDS students had some questions for our new Dean.  When asked if we could interview him with student-submitted questions, he willingly agreed!

Were you a teacher before you became a dean?

Yes, I was a teacher for eight years, in high school and junior high. I taught European History & Western Civilization, Logic & Rhetoric, and a Senior Thesis Class.

Why did you want to become a dean?

I was a high school principal before coming to St. Dominic School. I loved the way that being in a leadership role allowed me to work with everyone at the school-all grades, teachers, and parents.

What does a dean really do?

It really depends on the day! Every day is different. I spend a lot of time working with our teachers, trying to support them in whatever they might need. I also meet with parents to be sure we are walking alongside them to meet the needs of all our students. There are also a lot of emails! I get and send a lot of emails!

Why did you want to come to St. Dominic?

It was important to me to transition to a school where Catholic identity is at the center of everything we do. Also, when I was teaching, I thought there was something I really liked about teaching boys. A different kind of relationship-building happens in a classroom of boys. Also, I have two sons, so educating boys is obviously something that is very important to me.

What is your favorite thing at St. Dominic so far?

I really love our Greet the Week meetings on Monday mornings. I like seeing all the grades together at once to kick off our week.

Have you always lived in Memphis?

I moved a lot when I was kid. My parents were both in the Air Force. Even after they retired, they still liked to move around to different places. I was born in Ohio and grew up in Florida. I went to high school and undergrad in South Carolina. I went to graduate school in North Carolina. I was living in Nashville before I moved to Memphis. My wife is from Memphis, so we have made it our home.

What does your family like to do on the weekends and on vacation?

We love to travel. We like to be outside, especially hiking and camping. I’m more of a mountain person than a beach person.

Did you ever play a sport?

I did play some baseball and basketball when I was younger, but I was always more into music. I played trumpet and guitar.

Did you ever get a detention when you were in school?

I did! For talking too much in class. We all make mistakes; the important part is that you learn from them!

What are your favorite teams?

College football-Clemson (one of my alma maters) and Wake Forest too (another alma mater). Wake is 7-0 right now!

College basketball-Wake Forest

NFL-Tennessee Titans

NBA-I have been a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan, but I have also adopted the Grizzlies as a favorite now.

What is your favorite kind of food?

Tacos!