Servant Leader | Educator | Advocate for Excellence

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ron Wooden was brought up by his grandparents and is a proud graduate of the Philadelphia Public School System. He studied vocal music at the renowned Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts before continuing his education at Lincoln University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1999.

In 2004, Ron was accepted into the Leadership in Teaching master’s program at the University of Notre Dame of Maryland, completing the program in December 2007. He holds both Admin I and Admin II certifications, which have helped launch his successful leadership career in public education.

Ron began his career in Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) as a fifth-grade teacher at George D. Lisby Elementary School at Hillsdale. Over nine years, he impacted countless lives and also served as the Site Coordinator for the 21st Century after-school program. In December 2008, he was promoted to Assistant Principal at the same school. In June 2011, he transitioned to Havre de Grace Elementary School as Assistant Principal. By January 2013, he was named Acting Principal and later appointed full-time Principal in July 2014. At the end of the 2021 school year, Ron was selected to lead Old Post Road Elementary School, a two-building campus serving over 1,000 scholars in the Abingdon and Edgewood communities. Known for his expertise in building school culture and increasing student achievement, Ron has made a transformative impact in each role he has held.

Throughout his career, Ron has been recognized for his excellence in education. He is a two-time Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year and was named Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2008. In 2013, he earned the prestigious title of National Assistant Principal of the Year. Most recently, on April 9, 2024, he made history as the first-ever Harford County Public Schools Principal of the Year.

Ron’s leadership extends beyond the school building. As an adjunct professor at Towson University, he has taught leadership courses to aspiring school and corporate leaders through the Department of Professional Development. He frequently presents at local, state, and national education conferences on topics including Professional Learning Communities, instructional best practices, and leadership development. He is also a curriculum writer and a respected voice on several countywide committees that shape instruction across Harford County.

A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Ron has served at every level—chapter, area, and regional. He was named Brother of the Year in 2015 and currently serves as Area Director, overseeing seven chapters in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County which consist four of college and three alumni chapters. Additionally, he serves as Executive Director for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters, which spans Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., and he contributes nationally as a member of the fraternity’s Time and Place Committee.

Faith plays a vital role in Ron’s life. A member of Destiny Christian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, he has served in various ministries, most notably as leader of Christian Education. Whether in church or fraternity life, Ron lives by the words of Christ: “I come to serve, not to be served.” He is known as a servant leader who leads with heart, vision, and integrity.

Ron continues to be inspired by his favorite quote from Dr. Niara Sudarkasa, the 16th President of Lincoln University: “Excellence is expected. Distinction is our goal.” This guiding principle remains central to Ron’s mission as a teacher, a leader, and a lifelong advocate for students and communities.

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