“I enjoy seeing young students grow and be successful. I have a wonderful group of people that I work with on a daily basis that I will miss.”
Mr. Morris Woodring has worked in the education field for thirty-six years with the Johnson County School System. He will be retiring at the end of June. I am very proud of all the accomplishments that the students and staff of the Johnson County School System have made this year. Our elementary schools continue to receive A’s on academic achievement. The high school ACT scores continue to increase. We have wonderful teachers who work hard to ensure the success of all our students.
When asked about life events or people that inspired him to go into education, Mr. Woodring remembered a teacher that was special to him.
Mr. Woodring's former teacher & coach Mr. Homer Carter Lentz.
Mr. Carter Lentz, my high school basketball coach and teacher, inspired me to go into the education field. He was a wonderful mentor who cared about all of his students and basketball players. He showed great interest in all of us and wanted us to be the best person we could possibly be.
While Mr. Woodring is journeying toward a new transition in his own life, I asked him about graduation and his high school students that are transitioning as well. One of his favorite things about attending graduations in his school system is “seeing the excitement in the students and parents faces on such a wonderful day of accomplishment. I am very proud to be a part of their special day.”
When asked what a perfect day of retirement would look like, Mr. Woodring shared that it would involve traveling and spending time with his family. “I also enjoy golfing and farming.” As a first time gardener this season, I asked Mr. Woodring about any blessings he’s found through gardening or any advice he’d give to someone starting out. “When starting a garden take each individual plant and nourish it till it reaches its full potential. Farming takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but the results, at the end, are worth it.” As Mr. Woodring reaches the end of a well-nurtured career in education, I inquired about any advice he might have for new directors or even long-seated superintendents who may feel a little heavy this time of year. “Do not rush into any decision,” he stated. “There are always two sides to any situation … weigh all options before you make a final decision.”
The team here at TOSS would like to thank Mr. Woodring for being the May superintendent feature and wish him well as he starts this new chapter of his life.
