Diana Wood, Ed.D

Believer, Wife, Mother, Learner, Educator, Student Advocate & Elementary Instructional Supervisor, Putnam County Schools, Cookeville, TN.

[SCORE @SCORE_TN]

We’re celebrating the finalists for the 2025–26 Tennessee Supervisor of the Year awards — including SCORE Lead in Literacy partner Diana Wood! 🎉

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

Superb advice!

[Emily Paschall @EmilyAPaschall]

Recently, I have been asked by several parents, “What do I need to do to prep my kid for kindergarten?” Typically, they anticipate my response to be centered around what they need to know academically, but I think there are skills more important than that. It isn’t about knowing all of their letters and sounds to be kindergarten ready. If they do, GREAT. They are ahead of the game. But the more important thing is that they learn social and independent skills that will help them be successful in the classroom.

🔺Help them learn to say their full name when someone asks them (not their nickname).
🔹Help them learn to ask for help.
🔺Help them learn how to speak to other people who are not family members.
🔹 Eat dinner together. At a table. With the tv off. ➡️ They will learn about table manners, how to stay in their seat an entire meal, develop vocabulary through conversation, and benefit from quality time.
🔺Help them learn how to compete a task and work all the way through until they complete it.
🔹Help them learn how to wait patiently. 🤪 Maybe they are waiting in line while friends go to the bathroom, or maybe someone is needing to talk to their teacher. Waiting is a hard thing for littles!
🔺 Read books every night. ➡️ Their world will be enlarged, they will develop new vocabulary, and they will benefit from quality time.
🔹 Help them learn to share.
🔺 Help them sharpen taking care of their basic needs by themselves - using the bathroom, washing their hands, blowing their nose.
🔹Tell them no.
🔺Teach them nursery rhymes. There is so much research behind this and how it supports brain development.
🔹Help them understand it is ok to make mistakes.
🔺Help them practice putting things in and taking things out of their backpack. Their teacher will thank you! 🤪
🔹Help them learn to follow two step directions. For example, “Take off your shoes and hang up your jacket.”
🔺Help them learn to sit and wait without having to be entertained. Can they sit and wait without having to be handed a device?

There is so much more than academics that goes into helping a kid be “kindergarten ready”. Social and independent skills are life skills! If you aren’t practicing some of these things regularly, give yourself some grace. And if your child is older than KG age and cannot do some of these things yet, it isn’t too late! I am still working on these in my home too! We are about 5 weeks away from the start of school. The more they are able to do independently, the more successful they will be!

Giving kids the opportunity to develop their emotions, compassion, and social skills is one of the greatest gifts we can give kids to prepare them for this thing called “life”.

Let’s go!

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

We love our principals! Thank you for all that you do for your students, teachers, and staff! You are appreciated!!!
#PCSS #PutnamProud #weloveourprincipals

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

#PutnamProud of these schools! Congratulations!

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Six PCSS Schools Recognized for Achievement and Growth
Check out the story on the PCSS website at https://t.co/Vmy9kXvoEq
#PCSS #PutnamProud #6rewardschools

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Director of Schools Corby King responded to Gov. Lee's push for vouchers in the State of the State address with an editorial. Read it on the PCSS website at https://t.co/aFqu5v2U4x

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Congratulations PCSS Supervisor of the Year! Please congratulate our PCSS Supervisor of the Year, Tim Martin, the deputy director of schools. Way to go! #PCSS #PutnamProud #SOY

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Congratulations PCSS Principal of the Year!
Please congratulate the PCSS Principal of the Year, Tera Brooks, the principal at Prescott South Middle School. Way to go! #PCSS #PutnamProud #POY

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

The PCSS Teachers of the Year were revealed today. Watch the video of the surprise announcement for each one at https://t.co/t6JOPnx4ot
#PCSS #PutnamProud #PCSSTeachersoftheYear #AES #CookevilleCavaliers #vital

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

So very proud of Tina & @JWES_Wildcats! Keep shining!

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Tina Francis-Hodges, principal at Jere Whitson Elementary, was named the Tennessee Principal of the Year tonight in Nashville. Read the complete story at https://t.co/mwEKWpHadX
#PCSS #PutnamProud #JereWhitson #TenesseePrincipaloftheYear

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

PCSS Director Corby King pens editorial on Governor’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act. Read it at https://t.co/KLnDFfPfQo

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Employment opportunity! Northeast Elementary is in need of a Pre-K teacher.

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, some principals and PCSS Central Office staff shared what they are thankful for this holiday season. Check out the video at https://t.co/AmaCmFa5RA…Happy Thanksgiving from PCSS! #PCSS #PutnamProud #HappyThanksgiving

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

Round 2 of New Teacher Deep Dive yesterday, and I was equally impressed with these hard-working, passionate 3rd-5th grade @PCSSTN educators! Lucky students in Putnam County!

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

Loved being a part of @PCSSTN K-2 New Teacher Deep Dive today! If this group of passionate, hard-working, energetic educators is any indication, the future is bright for Putnam County students!❤️What a great day!

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

@AMillerPSES @PSES_Pups @Amplify Love this!💚💙

[Sam Brooks/Putnam/TN @VS_UCDirector]

#PutnamProud
@PCSSTN ES Supervisor, Dr. Diana Wood and MS/HS Supervisor, Dr. @WinninghamBubba hosts our PCSS assistant principal PLC today at the CO. Discussions included Bullying, AP responsibilities and scenarios, School Instructional Focus, and Responsive Practices

[Diana Wood, Ed.D @DianaSWood]

@PSES_Pups @Amplify @PCSSTN Love it!!💚💙

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Want to be a tutor? Here's your chance! #PCSS #PutnamProud #tutorpcssstudents

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Back-to-School bashes, orientations, and the first few days of school resulted in a lot of fun for parents and students in Putnam County. Check out the video at
https://t.co/WkpVdqZnwl
#PCSS #PutnamProud #backtoschool

[Putnam County School System @PCSSTN]

Hey PCSS parents! Here's a video to help you fill out your child's paperwork online. Please be sure to contact your school if you have any questions. #PCSS #PutnamProud #parentportal
https://t.co/TusQN1PHFs