Renee Wood
Renee Wood is a dedicated educator, mentor, and community volunteer based in Greensboro, North Carolina, with more than four decades of experience in childcare and youth development. Now retired from her full-time career, she continues to give back through roles such as peer counselor with Step Up Greensboro and instructor with Reading Connections, where she supports both adults preparing for employment and young children building foundational skills. Known for her warm, approachable nature, Renee is deeply committed to helping others grow with confidence—whether in the classroom, at home, or in the community.
Renee’s career began in early childhood education, where she spent over 40 years teaching and preparing young learners for success in school and beyond. From her time at Stanton Elementary School to Friendship Edison Public Charter School, she played a key role in shaping early learning experiences, teaching everything from basic literacy and computer skills to social development. In addition to her work in education, she also gained experience in banking, accounting, and retail, including a leadership role as a training supervisor at Target, where she supported team development and customer service operations.
At the heart of Renee’s work is a genuine passion for helping people and building meaningful relationships. A mother of three and grandmother of six, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding each child’s and family’s unique needs. She believes in showing up authentically and meeting people where they are, a philosophy that has guided her throughout her career. Among her proudest accomplishments is earning her college degree—becoming the first on her father’s side of the family to do so—an achievement that reflects her perseverance and commitment to lifelong learning and service.
• University of the District of Columbia- Associate's
• Strayer University- B.A.
• Strayer University- B.B.A.
• Multiple awards for teaching and coaching
• National Head Start Association (former member)
• Step Up Greensboro - job training for individuals who have been through the system
• Kellen Foundation - peer mediation
• Therapy
• Church praise dance ministry - teaching children
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family and my support system. My church family especially - they are like my biggest cheerleaders. I come in there on Sundays, and it's like, hey, girl, what's going on? Did you do A, B, and C? And if I say no, I didn't get a check, no, you need to go back and do it. I'm like, yes ma'am, yes sir. My children, my grandchildren, my sister and my brother are my backbone. They are everything to me, and I wouldn't be where I am without them. In my career, my principal was my backbone for 23 years at that school. She just would not let me give up. Even when she knew I wanted to give up, she would not let me. And I know when she rides you, it's because she sees something good in you. So I didn't give up.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Just be yourself, and the children will love you. That came from my principal the first year. She said, 'Just be yourself, Miss Wood, because the kids already love you, and so do I.' She told me this applies not only to the children you teach, but the children you coach. When I got carried out in that ambulance that day, not only did the children come, but the parents came up and were like, what hospital is she going to? And they were there. She said I had to come because if I didn't come, I had to hold off y'all. She said 3 of your girls came and kissed you on your forehead and told you, you know, you gotta hurry up and get back so they can win the championship.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be yourself, because the children will love you because of who you are, not for what you can do for them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say the biggest challenges are educating these parents. You can't educate the children unless the parents are on your side, because if they're going against you, then you can't help that child, you can only hinder that child. The biggest challenge is educating these parents, because they have kids, they think they know it all. And no, you don't know it all. I'm [her age], and I still don't know it all. There are people younger than me that still teach me. My children, my grandchildren still teach me.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My family values are most important, because my family means the world to me. My children, my grandchildren, my sister and my brother are my backbone. They are everything to me, and I wouldn't be where I am without them. In my career, my principal was my backbone for 23 years at that school. She just would not let me give up. Even though when she knew I wanted to give up, she would not let me. And I know when she rides you, it's because she sees something good in you. So I didn't give up.