Coach John Paul Wood Jr.

2014 Henry County Teacher of The Year

2015 Ga TOTY State Finalist/Georgia Superintendent's Teacher Board Member (Arts)

 

John Wood is a current member of  the Ola High School Fine Arts Staff and is in his 21st year of teaching here in Henry County Georgia. Wood believes that family always comes first and treats everyone he meets like family. Wood states "I am so glad to be a part of the Ola community and excited about working with the swimming and diving program."  Mr. Wood has several years of experience around the pool including 14 years as a competitive swimmer and over 15 years coaching the sport (10 USS/6 running a program). 

 

Coach Wood considers himself a "Water Coach" coaching from inside the pool.  He feels this is the best way to make sure his swimmers are using proper technique/placement for maximizing propulsion.  This way of coaching/teaching allows him to correct swimmers technique through demonstration and one-on-one instruction.  He states "I will never ask of a swimmer what I will not do myself..." 

 

Mr. Wood outside of the pool devotes his time to his family and enjoys every minute he can get with his two wonderful children Logan and Sara.  Logan is a brilliant young man of 17 years who loves to fish and make music.  Sara is a beautiful 14 year old who lives in the pool.  She gets up every morning asking to swim with her dad.  Wood is madly in love with his wife of 21 years Melissa, to whom he met in a college ceramics class.  Wood and his wife love to create and having two artist in the home allows for endless fun and crafts for the kids.  Melissa is also a teacher here in the county and together they own a business called Unchartered Creativity where they and their students teach art to the community.