Starkville Hires Georgia Educator for Administrative Post

[bitsontherun y594wgY3]The Starkville School District has tapped Dr. Jody Woodrum, a former assistant superintendent in Bulloch County, Ga., as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Woodrum was among more than 20 applicants and six finalists for the position.

“Dr. Woodrum brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Starkville School District,” Supt. Lewis Holloway said. “Her comprehensive understanding of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing, Fast ForWord, and Reading Street combined with her experience as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent makes her a great

fit for our district. An administrator for 25 years, she’s also experienced in analyzing data, problem solving, and strategic planning.”

Woodrum served as a principal and curriculum coordinator in Bulloch County before becoming assistant superintendent in 2007. She began her educational career as a language arts teacher at Claxton Middle School

in Evans County in 1982. Woodrum holds a masters degree from Appalachian State University and a doctoral degree from Georgia Southern University.

During Woodrum’s tenure in Bulloch County, she initiated the use of MAP and Compass Odyssey, a computer assisted learning program, to individualize learning for each child based on ability level, challenging the most advanced students while building confidence among

struggling learners. Woodrum also implemented Scientific Learning’s Fast ForWord program to build fluency and improve literacy and created extended learning alternatives.

Since retiring from Bulloch County in February, Woodrum has worked for Scientific Learning as a professional development manager.

“My tenure with Scientific Learning provided the opportunity for me to work in schools in three states implementing technology to compliment excellent instruction, but it also made me yearn to get back to an

environment where I could work directly with students, teachers, administrators, and parents,” Woodrum said.

Woodrum will begin working in the SSD immediately.

“The energy and vitality of Starkville are obvious, and the people here have a noticeable interest and desire to positively impact the lives of children through education, and I am excited to be a part of that,” Woodrum said.

Woodrum’s husband, Tom, is a police captain, and they have a son, Casey, who lives in Georgia.