Sarah Wood
Nashville,Tennessee
Summary
Dynamic and student-centered higher education leader with extensive experience in performance management, mentoring operations, leadership development, and organizational collaboration within the School of Business at Western Governors University. Collaborative and servant-minded leader recognized for building strong teams, developing others, and driving meaningful outcomes through accountability, partnership, and people-focused leadership. Experienced in strengthening mentor effectiveness, team collaboration, and student success through intentional coaching, scalable systems, and performance-focused leadership. Skilled in building alignment across teams, developing others through collaborative leadership, and using data-informed strategies and accountability practices to support meaningful outcomes during periods of growth and change.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Program Mentor Faculty
Western Governors University | School of Business
08.2023 - Current
- Coordinated leadership collaboration initiatives and manager development sessions aimed at strengthening performance management coaching and fostering organizational alignment.
- Developed and implemented scalable mentoring and coaching strategies aligned to onboarding, persistence, retention, student success, and operational priorities.
- Partnered with senior leadership and People & Talent to navigate complex performance management, corrective action, employee development, and organizational change while maintaining strong team engagement and operational stability.
- Led high-performing team through collaborative leadership, strategic coaching, accountability systems, and cross-functional partnership that strengthened mentor effectiveness, student experience, and organizational outcomes.
Supervisor, Evaluation Faculty
Western Governors University
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Supervised and coached up to 29 faculty evaluators using data-informed coaching and performance management practices.
- Developed cross-functional collaboration systems between Evaluators and Instructor Practitioners to improve KPI alignment and student outcomes.
- Led strategic initiatives supporting evaluator consistency, SLA execution, and organizational alignment.
- Cultivated ownership and engagement through collaborative learning structures and leadership development opportunities.
Lead Evaluator / Evaluator
WGU School of Education
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Served as Lead Evaluator for elementary edTPA while coaching evaluators through data-informed development conversations.
- Organized collaboration efforts between Instructor Practitioners and Course Instructors to strengthen student support and evaluation consistency.
- Promoted faculty collaboration and engagement by implementing targeted coaching strategies.
Adjunct Coach for Instructional Practice
Lipscomb University
01.2020 - 05.2024
- Evaluated and supported teacher candidates' progress through comprehensive coaching and actionable instructional feedback.
- Led roundtable sessions focused on evaluating instructional effectiveness and preparing educators for professional challenges.
STEM Teacher / 5th Grade Teacher / Lead Teacher
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2019
- Created and launched a STEM program through cross-curricular collaboration and innovative instructional design.
- Supported school-wide and cross-school collaboration efforts focused on strengthening classroom management strategies, instructional planning, and behavior support systems across multiple middle schools within the district.
- Served in leadership roles including Team Lead, Mentor Teacher, Data Team member, and Professional Development facilitator.
- Supported teacher growth through mentoring, coaching, data discussions, and collaborative best-practice sharing.
Education
Master of Arts - Learning & Teaching
Lipscomb University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education, Communications and Bible
Lipscomb University
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Performance Management & Coaching
- Leadership Development
- Organizational Collaboration
- Change Management
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Cross-Functional Partnership
- Talent Development & Succession Planning
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Co-led WSB Manager Retreat for all WSB Managers
- Led WSB-wide Manager Collaboration initiatives
- Developed scalable coaching and reflection systems adopted across teams
- Promoted and developed emerging leaders into advanced mentoring roles
- Extensive experience in coaching, corrective action, and organizational change leadership
- FY26 WSB Manager Quiet Power Award: Recognized for collaborative leadership, strategic influence, trust-building, and organizational impact across teams and leadership groups.
Certification
- WGU ICF Coaching Training – Level 1 | April 2024 Completed Level 1 coaching training aligned to International Coaching Federation (ICF) principles focused on transformational coaching, active listening, accountability, and development-centered leadership conversations.
- PROSCI Change Management Practitioner | 2022 Completed WGU Change Management Practitioner Certification powered by PROSCI.
- WGU Emerging Leaders Program | 2021 Selected participant in leadership development program focused on organizational leadership, collaboration, and management development.
Timeline
Manager, Program Mentor Faculty
Western Governors University | School of Business
08.2023 - Current
Supervisor, Evaluation Faculty
Western Governors University
01.2021 - 01.2023
Adjunct Coach for Instructional Practice
Lipscomb University
01.2020 - 05.2024
Lead Evaluator / Evaluator
WGU School of Education
01.2019 - 01.2021
STEM Teacher / 5th Grade Teacher / Lead Teacher
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education, Communications and Bible
Lipscomb University
Master of Arts - Learning & Teaching
Lipscomb University