Leading with Heart: Dr. Rachelle Wood’s Steady Hand at Shawnee
In a school with deep history and ambitious plans for the future, Dr. Rachelle Wood has become a steady and passionate leader. Now in her eighth year at The Academy @ Shawnee, six of them as the school’s Academy Coach, she’s helped guide Shawnee through growth, change, and a renewed sense of pride—always with a coach’s mindset and a servant-leader’s heart.
“I feel like I’m a natural coach,” she said. “Just because I played sports, I’m competitive, I coached as much as I could throughout my educational career. And so ‘coach’ is in my title. I like being on the sidelines, doing the behind-the-scenes work, and then highlighting everybody else.”
That’s exactly what she does—cheering on students, supporting teachers, and making sure Shawnee’s one-of-a-kind flight and aeronautics program continues to soar.
Education in Her Blood
Dr. Wood’s journey started in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, where her family has been rooted for generations. “My dad grew up in Rockcastle County, in Red Hill—country, country boy,” she said. He went on to become superintendent there, serving for 16 years before semi-retiring… repeatedly. “He’ll go in and help districts, be their interim superintendent,” she said with a smile. “Education’s in my blood. His mom was a one-room schoolhouse teacher.”
Dr. Wood didn’t start in education. She earned a degree in exercise science, followed by a master’s in exercise physiology, and worked in cardiac rehab. But something didn’t feel right. “I didn’t enjoy it too much—like sadness and sickness,” she recalled. “I loved coaching… so I went back to school and got my master’s in teaching.”
From there, she taught high school science in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties, then moved to Louisville and taught middle school science at Meyzeek. Eventually, she landed at Shawnee as a College Access Resource Teacher—a role that no longer exists but planted the seeds for the work she does today.
“I’m pushing them—the kids and the teachers—to do the best that they can. And then I’ll feel like I’ve been successful as a coach.”
A Coach for Students and Staff
Since becoming Academy Coach, Dr. Wood has taken on the responsibility of building and sustaining the school’s business partnerships, supporting pathway teachers, and ensuring students are getting real-world experience. But what matters most to her is the people.
“I’m pushing them—the kids and the teachers—to do the best that they can,” she said. “And then I’ll feel like I’ve been successful as a coach.”
One of her proudest accomplishments came during the pandemic, when several new teachers, including Dr. Reginald McDaniel, were trying to find their footing. “They knew their content, but the educational side is a different bear,” she explained. “So just supporting them with that, and seeing how much they’ve grown—not just him, but others, too—that’s what I’m proud of.”
She beams when she talks about the students who come back to visit after graduation. “They’re like, ‘I’m never coming back here again!’—and then they do,” she said. “Seeing them say they’re in [post-secondary] school, doing this and that, and they just come back and thank you for the help… that’s the best part.”
One student she helped secure a full-ride scholarship through JCPS’s Dr. Pollio Scholarship still stands out. “She ended up going to Kentucky State University. And when she was on TV, thanking people—she thanked me.”
A Unique Program, A Special Place
Shawnee’s flight and aeronautics pathway is the only one of its kind in the district. It’s been around for over 30 years and continues to grow in visibility and impact.
“Even before the Academies were established, it was here,” Dr. Wood said. “We had aircraft maintenance as well—that went away for a while—but flight and aeronautics has been consistent.”
Each fall, she leads Shawnee’s Girls in Aviation Day, an event she created after realizing how hard it was to get students to the citywide event held at Bowman Field. “I was like, you know what? I could do this here,” she said. “And it’s gotten bigger each year.”
The event invites 8th and 9th grade girls to explore careers in aviation, meet female pilots, try flight simulators, and learn from industry professionals. “Just to show them that it’s not just flying planes,” she said. “There’s all kinds of other things you can do.”
Dr. Wood’s relationships with business partners like UPS and Republic Airways have helped make that possible. “They always come,” she said. “We ask them to bring as many females as possible.”
Building Something That Lasts
Dr. Wood is quick to point out that the work is never done. This year, she’s focused on building a more reliable system for coordinating with business partners and growing Shawnee’s student ambassador program through community service.
She also has her eye on long-term sustainability. “Just really owning the Academies and following them and becoming a sustainable system,” she said. “So when I leave, or whoever leaves, it just doesn’t have to start over every year.”
And while there are still challenges—like supporting students who transfer in late and struggle to complete a career pathway—she’s committed to helping as many as she can. “Dual credit is my favorite,” she said. “If they know they’re going to college, they already know it because they’re like, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ But 10 years from now, you’ll still have that credit.”
For Dr. Rachelle Wood, it’s all part of the mission: guiding students, supporting teachers, and keeping Shawnee’s momentum moving forward.
“I mean, it’s fun,” she said. “I like all the different parts. It’s never boring, because there’s always something to do.”