In mathematics, a “constant” is something that stays the same, a fixed point in a changing equation. For the Westridge community, Mr. Wood has been that constant. For 24 years, his presence has been an integral part of both the Upper School math department and the greater Westridge community.

Before starting at Westridge, Mr. Wood taught at an all-boys school in Sydney, Australia. The transition to Westridge didn’t change just his location, but also his teaching philosophy. “Boys tend to say, ‘Okay, give me the rules, show me a few examples, and then let me go off,’” he explains. “Girls are much more inquiring, much more interested in knowing why.” This curiosity made Mr. Wood more mindful of his own explanations. He realized math couldn’t just be “magic you pull out of your sleeve.” His commitment to clarity is exactly what has made Mr. Wood a beloved teacher to the Westridge community. “I think Mr. Wood is especially good at breaking concepts down so I never leave his room confused,” says Jessica S. ’27. By making math an easier concept and by encouraging curiosity, he has helped students view math as not an obstacle but as a skill they were capable of mastering. “He’s very understanding and willing to help and has a great sense of humor,” remarks Annika L. ’27. This evolution in his teaching happened along with a transformation of Westridge itself.

When Mr. Wood first arrived, the school looked very different. He remembers when the math office was located in Mudd, and Madeline Drive was a real road that sliced the campus in two. “We used to be two distinct sides,” Mr. Wood recalls. He remembers how the Lower School students had to wait for a teacher to escort them across the road to get to the Commons, following the little footprints that are still visible on the pathway today. For him, the school purchasing that road was a turning point that “brought the school together as one whole.” Beyond the architecture, he’s also seen the culture evolve. In his early years, the uniform was more enforced; today, he sees a school that is “much more about the individual.” For Mr. Wood, seeing how students express that individuality after years in the classroom is the most rewarding part of his job.

Out of all the Westridge traditions, Mr. Wood finds Chalk Day to be his favorite. Seeing all the colleges students choose, both nationally and internationally, perfectly illustrates the best of Westridge. “It encapsulates the fact that Westridge is not a one-size-fits-all sort of thing,” he says. To him, the day represents the result of the entire academic process, and seeing the variety of schools students matriculate to makes the work done in the classroom deeply gratifying. He especially enjoys seeing students head to international schools, and often jokes about how students heading to the East Coast or Canada should prepare for the brutal winters.

While he will miss the daily interactions, he is leaving with a physical reminder of the impact he has had on the community. Over his 24 years at Westridge, he has collected countless thank-you cards from appreciative students. He shared that his wife is planning to take those cards and create a collage on one of their walls at home. To him, the fact that students take the time to write down their gratitude is what makes the job truly worthwhile. “But the students, I mean, they are so appreciative of what I do…and that’s something I must admit I will miss,” he said. The collage will be more than just a collection of cards; it will be a physical testament to a legacy of kindness and mentorship that has defined Mr. Wood’s 24 years at Westridge.

But as he prepares to close his gradebook, Mr. Wood is also looking forward to a few changes. On June 6th, he plans to celebrate his first day of retirement by throwing away his alarm clock. From there, he will trade the classroom for travel: he plans to go on a two-week river cruise with his wife in November in Europe, excited to see the Christmas markets. While his alarm clock may be gone and his whiteboards clean, the impact of the dedicated teaching Mr. Wood shared will remain a constant in the Westridge community.