Sherry Woodman, principal of Christ the King School in Nashville for nearly nine years, has announced she will step down from the position to return to teaching at the school at the end of the current school year.
“Over the last couple of years I have reflected on my career path and professional goals,” Woodman wrote in a letter to the parents of Christ the King students. “These thoughts have led me to realize that I miss my first love, teaching children.”
After consulting with Father Dexter Brewer, pastor of Christ the King Church, Woodman will move to the position of learning specialist. “This program is near and dear to my heart, having developed the framework for services at its inception and continuing to prioritize it as an administrator,” Woodman wrote.
“In the next few weeks I will meet with Sherry and the school board and, with their counsel, form a committee to assess the leadership needs of the school community and begin the search for the next principal of Christ the King School,” Father Brewer wrote in a separate letter to school parents.
“It has been my privilege to lead Christ the King School as its principal for almost nine years,” Woodman wrote. “During the time I’ve been principal, we have developed a comprehensive strategic plan, improved teacher salaries, maintained a balanced budget, refurbished the library, implemented portable technology, and established an enduring endowment, the Forever Fund, to ensure the future of the school for generations to come.
“The positions I have held during my tenure at CKS include middle school math and science, learning specialist, second grade teacher, assistant principal, and principal. I’ve also had the honor of serving as a school board member and, the best job of all, a CKS parent,” she added. “Every role I’ve assumed has been a labor of love for this very special school and its families.”
“My continued work at CKS will allow me to facilitate the smooth transition to a new administration,” she added. “I stand ready to assist and support the principal that Father Dexter discerns as the best fit for our community. Meanwhile, it is my intention to finish this school year strong with the same fortitude we summoned to begin it. We have much work left to do and we will do it with excellence.”
Father Brewer praised Woodman’s tenure as principal. “Over the past nine years she has with decided grace guided our school and overseen the education and formation of our children,” he wrote.
“She has brought our school through a year unlike any other we have known – a year of pandemic – doing everything in her power to keep our students safe while providing as normal an environment as possible for their education and formation,” Father Brewer wrote.
“This Lent, let us pray for Sherry as she looks forward to her return to the classroom,” he added. “Let us pray also for those on the committee who will help select a new principal, that we may find a candidate who is wise, intelligent and kind, but most of all someone who has a love for children and for Christ who is Lord.”
