Jamie Wood

Jamie Wood is the IB Diploma Coordinator at UWC-USA. Alongside the Dean of Teaching and Learning, she ensures that all students have the tools needed to find success during their two years in the diploma program. Prior to being at UWC-USA, she was at UWCEA in Tanzania, where she facilitated the Extended Essay and led classes on digital literacy, research methods and finding practical ways to stay organized as a diploma student.

Prior to her work in the DP, she has worked as an international music teacher in Mexico, Indonesia, Cambodia and Tanzania. She has worked with students of all ages (early childhood to DP year 2) and has always focused her career on giving access to different styles of music and staying relevant with what is popular for her students. She has always had a passion in teaching students from a beginner level and seeing their transformation as they grow into more confident musicians and performers, skills she has transferred in her work with DP students that come from various educational backgrounds.

Jamie holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida, a Master of Music in Music Education from Florida State University and will be pursuing a Master in Library and Information Sciences from the University of South Florida.

About Jamie

Title/Position

IBDP Coordinator

Education

University of Florida-Bachelor of Music in Music Education Florida State University-Master of Music Education

Passions

I am an avid reader and love all mediums of reading: print, digital and audio! I also very much enjoy cooking, particularly baking as it’s more precise and helps me focus and destress. I am very passionate about saving and protecting animals, having been a foster home for dogs and cats for most of my adult life. I love listening to live music and theater and truly, the weirder and more avant garde it is, the better! Finally, I love to travel and look forward to discovering more of the Southwestern United States while here.

Languages

English and Spanish

Q&A with Jamie

What do you love about teaching or your role at the school?

I love seeing students have that “a-ha” moment of understanding, where you can see the veil lift from over their eyes, whether that be with understanding music theory or understanding how to cite a resource properly.

What do you think parents and students should know about you?

I was born in Costa Rica but I grew up in the United States so I understand what it’s like to balance two cultures (and two languages!) at once, something UWC students are very familiar with. It can be challenging but overall, very rewarding to be able to share with others all of our unique experiences.