Susan Wooden chosen as new leader of Beaverton Rural Schools

Susan Wooden
Superintendent, Beaverton Rural Schools

The students, staff, and community of Beaverton Rural Schools welcomed Susan Wooden this summer as the district’s new superintendent.   

After an extensive three-month search process, Beaverton Rural Schools Board of Education President Adam Zdrojewski said Wooden’s, “very strong education background and many valuable experiences,” made her stand out among the other candidates vying for the job. “Susan also had a very professional, well-articulated position on her desire to succeed and her passion for education,” he said. 

A few of the many notable career achievements found on Wooden’s resume include serving as superintendent of East Jordan Public School District, director of curriculum/instruction/assessment for Owosso Public Schools, and professor of English at Alpena Community College and the U.S. Air Force Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena. 

Wooden said she was drawn to Beaverton Schools for a variety of reasons, including the district’s strong academic and extracurricular programming, compelling sense of pride, and the sheer beauty of the Beaverton area. “BRS has huge potential to soar to the next level because of extremely talented Board members who have a common vision for the district, the district staff who genuinely care about kids, and the supportive community.” 

With a few weeks under her belt as Beaverton Rural Schools’ new leader, the Byron native said she is eager to move the district forward in all aspects of the organization, such as student achievement, communication, technology, community partnerships, and more. Additionally, Wooden said she is excited to become an active member of the school district’s community; a goal she is clearly committed to as she and husband, Russell, recently moved to Beaverton. 

“The Board believes that having someone living in the district allows them to have the ability to be available for the varied events that take place, as well as have a finger on the pulse of the community and become a proud member of the Beaverton area,” said Zdrojewski. “Susan’s leadership and desire to become vested in Beaverton Rural Schools will do nothing but benefit everyone involved.  We welcome the Woodens to our school and our community.”