Interview with Mr. Wooldridge
A new school year always comes with change and adjustment, but the start of this year holds more than usual. Mrs. Rafla, after eight years of being the high school principal, moved out of her position and became the assistant superintendent over curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Gallagher formerly held this position, but left this year, and Mrs. Rafla was the clear choice for the job. Now the high school has a new principal, Mr. Wooldridge, who formerly ran the middle school, and is now in charge of both middle and high. All most students know about Mr. Wooldridge is that he is excited about school spirit. Here's a full interview with him, so the students can get to know their new principal.
Do you play any instrument besides guitar?
"I do. I also play the ukulele, you just can't help but smile when you play the ukulele. I ran the ukulele club at Manual, and they called me Ukularry when we were meeting. We even played at sporting events. I play a little piano, just enough that people think I can play it, and I sing."
How did you meet and marry your wife?
" I met Denise in the halls of North Bullitt High School. Her mother was a librarian and really wouldn't let her go out with anyone else, so she finally gave in. Our first date was the movie: The Empire Strikes Back. We dated for eight years, and were married in 1987. So we've been together for a total of 36 years."
Do you have any advice for high schoolers on dating?
"Christ has to be at the center of the relationship. The man has to be the leader and love sacrificially and unconditionally."
Do you have children? How many?
"Yes, three boys. Ian is a senior at UofL. He's 23 and a worship intern at Okolona Christian church.
Andy is 22, a college junior, and he's on the worship team at Autumn Lake Christian church.
Riley is a sophomore at CAL, and he plays soccer, guitar, bass, and piano."
Do you have a pet?
"Yes. He's a pomchi (half Pomeranian and half Chihuahua) rescue dog that we got this February. He originally weighed 6 pounds when they found him, cold and wet in the streets of Louisville, but he now weighs 13 pounds and is the picture of health. We call him Russdiculous."
What are your favorite and least favorite things about High School so far?
Favorite- "I have to say my favorite thing is the student body. They are just such a good group of kids. I feel so connected to them, and the senior chaplains even have my cell number. I'll have students and parents text me and say that they're praying for me, when they don't even know me, and that's also a really great thing."
Least favorite- "It isn't so much my least favorite thing as it is I've had to make a time adjustment. Middle schoolers don't have as many after school events, so now that I'm in charge of the high school I'm spending a lot more time at after school events. It's more of a time factor."
What specific changes do you want to make and why?
"I can't answer that question yet. It would be foolish of me to think I could come in here and start changing things in one year. Christian Academy is a wonderful school with great teachers and it's doing so many things right. As a leader you have to observe and listen and go from there."
What do you want the students to be equipped with spiritually when they leave?
"I want students to be able to be disciple makers. The great commission says, "'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'" I want students to have the tools they need to bold, so they can proclaim their faith and be disciple makers."
Where are all of the places you have worked?
"I've taught at Bullitt East High School, Bullitt Central High School, and North Bullitt High school. I was the Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal at DuPont Manual."
How did you know when God wanted you to move?
"July 25, 2012, my father passed away. He taught me how to live and he taught me how to die. The whole time he had cancer he had such joy, because he knew he was going to heaven and was ready to go. I held his hand as he died and you could feel God's presence in the room. After that I told my wife: "There is more to life than being the principal at Manual High School." I knew I needed to do something for the kingdom with the rest of my life. Five years ago I would have said I'll be Manual's principal until I die, but after that I knew I was being led to another ministry. There was a lot of prayer about this decision and I had peace about it. That's how I know it was God's will."
What's the craziest thing you've ever done as a principle?
"Singing Christmas carols over the intercom with my ukulele the day before Christmas break."
What experience from the middle school are you going to use in the high school?
"The middle school gave me an idea of what Christian education is really about. I believe if there was ever a time for Christian education it is now. What we do here is much more important than an ACT score."
You said you wanted to change pep rally's. How do you envision them?
"Well, I envision the entire student body cheering for their school. There is nothing wrong with cheering for your school. We want to win and we can cheer in a loving and Christian way. If we didn't care about winning we wouldn't keep score at athletic events. I've been to bad pep rallies, that are almost painful because of the detachment and apathy of the student body. I've also been to good pep rallies, that would almost bring tears to your eyes because of the passion students had for their school. I would love for CAL to feel like that."
A sad event, the loss of his father, started the chain of events that led Mr. Wooldridge to be CAL's principal. When one looks at the full picture, however, it is clear that God had his hand on the entire transition. Mr. Wooldridge is a man who cares about God and cares about students, and it is a blessing that he has come to CAL. The student body will certainly benefit from his leadership this year, and hopefully for many more years to come.
