By Jill Rollie

Woodson Kindergarten Center Principal

As the parent of two former Woodson Critters who were both blessed with amazing teachers and a great beginning to their K-12 education, Woodson Kindergarten Center has held a special spot in my heart for the past decade. This year, I am honored to serve as the principal and leader to this incredible team of educators.

Many families have shared stories of how much they appreciate Woodson’s efforts to help their children be successful, nearly all of which involve some version of the same sentiment: “Everyone is so happy! How can everyone be so happy and welcoming ALL the time?” My answer is simple: love.

I am inspired each day by our Woodson staff and the love they have for our students, our families, and our community. Their commitment and heart towards ensuring ALL kids are learning at high levels is inspiring, and the joy around learning is clearly felt throughout this building. The educators here at Woodson dedicated themselves to educating hundreds, if not thousands, of children in Austin as if they were their own, and that is truly what makes this the happiest place in southeastern Minnesota.

Woodson is committed to offering dynamic educational experiences for our littlest learners. Our students are able to discover and explore beyond our school walls in our outdoor learning spaces, including both a greenhouse and an outdoor classroom.

We also understand our students’ developmental need for active learning, so there we have dedicated time daily for students to apply their learning through play in our boost-up and play center spaces.

We are committed to growing both academic skills and social-emotional literacy by implementing Zones of Regulation and character education to support the long-term success of our students. Through the use of iPads and SMART Boards in every classroom, students are able to access specialized instruction that focuses on their unique learning styles. In addition, Woodson continues to seek community partnerships that bring authentic learning opportunities to our students because we believe Together We Can make a difference in our students’ lives.

Please don’t be fooled, this caring learning community may seem pretty magical, but it is the result of a relentless commitment to serving our students through hard work and dedication. We know, though, that all the hard work is worth it because we believe the future looks bright for all our Woodson Critters. Class of 2031, Woodson loves you.