As the next principal at Bennett Elementary School, Wendy Woodland looks forward to helping add to the school’s positive momentum and learning about the school’s history and community.
For the last 16 years, Woodland has worked in Jefferson County School District and brings 14 years of experience as a principal to Bennett. Previously, Woodland worked at a school in Conifer, Colorado, and has experience as an assistant principal and teaching fourth- and fifth-grade students.
After taking a year off to spend time with her family, she is excited to join PSD as they move to Fort Collins and return to public schools for the 2024-25 school year. She looks forward to supporting staff, students, and families at Bennett as they continue building a strong community that helps all children reach their true potential.
“I’m really excited about joining a community that loves children and has high expectations for all of its learners,” said Woodland.
“We are very impressed with the experience and alignment of philosophy that Wendy Woodland will bring to PSD and the Bennett Elementary community,” said PSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Traci Gile. “But even more so, we could feel Wendy’s authenticity and commitment to see all children grow and experience the joy of learning.”
Woodland’s career in education started in the Peace Corps, where she spent two years in the Philippines as a teacher trainer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary arts with a focus on education, reading, and English as a second language from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s in education administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix. She has been working in education for 24 years. In addition to her various roles, Woodland brings with her previous experience implementing EL Education, which is the new literacy curriculum implemented this school year at Bennett and other PSD elementary schools.
Woodland and her husband Nick have three children — ages eight, 12, and 14 — and they have spent the past year traveling around the U.S., exploring National Parks, and spending time with family and friends around the country.