Leadership

Thomas G. Hood, O.P.A., President, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

Tom Hood joined the St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School family as President in July 2016. Previously President Hood served for eight years as the Head of School at MMI Preparatory School in Freeland, Pennsylvania, an independent, co-educational college-preparatory day school with 252 students. In 2006, he began his tenure at MMI Preparatory School family as Vice President and then became Head two years later. He joined the MMI administration after a 22-year career in the United States Army including four years on the faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

President Hood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He also has completed twelve credit units towards an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. During his military career, he was qualified as both a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot. Before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, he served in various command and staff roles including serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. President Hood and his wife, Mary-Lee, have been married for over 30 years, and they have four grown children.

Heather Valdez, O.P.A., Dean, St. Agnes Academy Upper School

Heather Valdez joined St. Agnes Academy as an English teacher in the Upper School in 2003, and she was named Dean in 2021. She has experience teaching World Literature, British Literature and Family and Consumer Science. Additionally, she has served as senior class sponsor, participated on numerous SAIS committees, and directed the activities of the National Honor Society and the Justice, Respect and Peace program.  She is a Eucharistic Minister and a Dominican Associate. While teaching at St. Agnes, Mrs. Valdez obtained a Master of Education from Christian Brothers University where she was named CBU Master’s Student of the Year. In 2018 she attended the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute. Mrs. Valdez is committed to cultivating a learning environment that empowers our students to thrive, and she displays an appreciation of and commitment to girls' education and 21st-century learning principles.

Jenn Wojcik, Dean, St. Agnes Academy Lower School

Jenn Wojcik was named Dean of St. Agnes Academy Lower School in May of 2022. She is an experienced educator with over 25 years of experience. Prior to joining St. Agnes, she was the Dean of the Upper School at Royal Palm Academy, a PK-8 Independent Catholic School in Naples, Florida. Previously she served as the Dean of Faculty for four years, taught middle school Literature & Language Arts and was the Language Arts Department Chair. She earned her B.S. in Secondary Education in Language Arts, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and earned a master’s degree in English, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama. Before joining the faculty at Royal Palm Academy, she was an English instructor at The University of Alabama and at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dean Wojcik is dedicated to providing our students a solid foundation to become confident women of conviction, courage, and compassion.

Adam Woods, Dean, St. Dominic School

Adam Woods joined St. Dominic School as Dean in 2021. Originally from Ohio, Mr. Woods grew up in Florida and South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University. Before joining St. Dominic School, he served as the Head of the Upper School at Westminster Academy and taught several courses including Middle School Logic, Honors European History and Rhetoric. In addition to his roles as an administrator and teacher he has experience in nonprofit administration as well as youth ministry. Mr. Woods is a firm believer in the power of schools to positively transform the lives of the children, families, and communities that they serve. He has a true passion for partnering with parents to develop the hearts and minds of students.

Jenny Howell, Director, Early Childhood Center

Jenny Howell joined our school community in 2017 as the Director of the R.D. "Johnny" Davis Early Childhood Center. In this role she oversees our Early Childhood Center, providing leadership and vision for the schools 2 year old through Junior Kindergarten program. Mrs. Howell has extensive experience developing and leading early childhood programs, as well as experience as a classroom teacher. She previously taught kindergarten at Tara Oaks Elementary School. Previously she was the Executive Director of Educational Ministries at Farmington Presbyterian Church and Day School. Mrs. Howell also has experience teaching in the Shelby County Schools and served as a lead teacher and Camp Director at Faith Lutheran Preschool and Church. Mrs. Howell has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University College of Education and her master’s degree in Independent Leadership from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education. She is an active member of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students and Tennessee Association of Independent Schools. She is also on the board for Nashville Area Association for the Education of Young Children.

Bobby Ireland, Vice President of Campus Services

Bobby Ireland has served as Vice President of Campus Services since at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School since 2019. In this role Mr. Ireland oversees the activities of the Technology Department, the Library, Security, and Maintenance. Mr. Ireland has been the varsity soccer coach since 1997 and a full-time member of the SAA-SDS staff since 2001. Prior to his current role he was the Chief Information Officer directing all technology on the campus. Under his leadership SAA-SDS was the first school in the area to offer a one-to-one laptop program. He and his wife Jen have two sons who are St. Dominic graduates, Nick Class of 2012, and Matt Class of 2017.

Holli Kenney, Vice President of Advancement

Holli Kenney joined the St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School faculty and staff in 2014, serving as Chief Development Officer until 2022 when she was named Vice President of Advancement. During her time at SAA-SDS, Mrs. Kenney has served on the school's leadership team and the Strategic Plan Steering Committtee, and has been involved with various local non-profits, most recently on the Board of the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Originally from Alabama, she obtained her B.A. in English from The University of Alabama and began a career in non-profit development in 2006. Prior to joining the SAA-SDS family, Mrs. Kenney was Director of Development for The Orpheum Theatre, responsible for the annual fund, special events and corporate sponsorships. Mrs. Kenney and her husband, Nick, have three boys who are proud St. Dominic Suns - Griffin, Miles and Foster.

Amy Keith, Chief Financial Officer

Amy Keith was appointed CFO in June, 2022. She is an experienced controller with over 20 years of experience in financial accounting for public and privately held companies. Most recently she was the Controller at MODE Transportation, a transportation and logistics company with over 100 offices throughout North America. Additionally, she has experience in the nonprofit sector having served as Finance Chair on the boards of several area nonprofit organizations. Mrs. Keith received a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Memphis. She and her husband Owen have three children, William, Nicholas, and Emily.

Matt Nelson, Director Athletics

Matt Nelson has served as Athletic Director for the Stars and Sons since 2020. He has extensive experience in athletics administration and coaching at every level, from lower school through college. Prior to joining SAA-SDS he was the Associate Athletic Director at Hutchison School where his duties included supervising and mentoring coaches, as well as overseeing the middle school athletic program and lower school intramural program, while assisting with the varsity program. He was Athletic Director at Chelsea Academy in Virginia where he pioneered the athletics program for grades 6-12 and coached both varsity boys basketball and varsity girls soccer. He also served as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Christendom College in Virginia guiding the team to two conference championships and two top10 national rankings. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, he attended Thomas Aquinas College in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Beth Odom, Director of Dominican-Catholic Identity

Beth Odom has served the SAA-SDS community as Director of Dominican-Catholic Identity since 2019. She plays an instrumental role in fostering the spiritual growth of our students, faculty, and parents. Mrs. Odom previously taught Religion at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for almost 20 years and served as the school’s Religion Coordinator.

She was presented the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award by the Diocese for her work in Catholic education. She attended the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She and her husband Matt have three children, Emily, Thomas and Cecilia.