Ron Woolf is one of 30 Santa Clara County teachers to be
recognized
Retired Britton Middle School teacher Ron Woolf will be Morgan Hill School District’s teacher of the year.
Woolf will be honored at the 34th annual Teacher Recognition Day at the San Jose Repertory Theater on Monday along with 29 others from districts across Santa Clara County.
The Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers and district officials nominated teachers for the honor. The nominees were voted on and Woolf was chosen.
“I feel real humble,” said Woolf. “You are only as good as the people around you. There were so many good people around me.”
Woolf taught for almost 24 years, most of which were at Britton teaching pre-algebra and leadership classes. He was the principal at the Morgan Hill Adult School starting in 1991. Though he says he enjoyed the experience, he couldn’t be away from the kids.
“I missed contact with the students,” said Woolf.
Jim McDonald, Britton principal, has known Woolf for more than 20 years. McDonald said no one is more deserving than Woolf.
“He has been exemplary and professional in his enthusiasm,” said McDonald. “His knowledge of how to direct and guide of how to implement and direct and student government program is incredible. He is one of the most knowledgeable and competent ASB directors in California. We really benefited from all of his experience.”
The key to success was how he approached the students, Woolf said. He took what he called the “CARE” approach to teaching. He made an effort to “Complement the students’ needs; Act in their best interests; Respect all differences; and Extend a helping hand.”
“My approach was to accept all students as if it is their first year,” said Woolf. “I felt that all teachers had to be active. If I showed interest in the subject, the students would be as well.”
Superintendent Carolyn McKennan said Woolf has always taught entirely with the students’ interest at heart.
“The essence of Ron Woolf is his commitment to students,” said McKennon. “He is student centered, their advocate to help them become stronger adults in meaningful ways; he was ASB director at Britton, which is a natural role for him. Ron sees the value of his students. What’s in it for the kids and what can I do to help them become better adults.”
In the many years that he taught, he taught hundreds of students. With those kinds of numbers, some memorable names were bound to pop up; this includes Jeff Ulbrich, a starting linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.
Woolf sees Ulbrich quite differently than an athlete competing at the highest level.
“He was just a little guy in 7th grade,” said Woolf. “I see him as an example for students to never give up.”
Last June, Woolf retired along with 50 others from across the district.
According to McKennon, Woolf will always be thinking of his students and the students yet to come.
“Ron is an extraordinary guy who deserves this recognition,” said McKennon. “Even though he is retired, he is still out there in the community, working away for kids.”
McDonald says that Woolf is continuing to help, despite retirement. He has come out to help during the orientation and with the ASB.
“He hasn’t vanished,” said McDonald. “We appreciate his help. He is a wonderful, giving person. He wanted to help the new ASB director do a good job, and she has.”
Retirement for Woolf is a way for him to catch up on hobbies and interests that he put on the shelf while teaching. He says that the first thing he caught up on was reading. This past summer, Woolf says he has done more reading than he has in years. He also plans to more traveling and golf.
“I want to enjoy the things that I missed,” said Woolf.
Woolf also has been extremely active in the annual Mushroom Mardi Gras festival.
Monday’s program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run to 9:30 p.m. Details visit www.sccoe.org. The theater is located at 101 Paseo de San Antonio, two blocks west of San Jose State.
