Carl Wood, a language arts teacher at Northwest High School, was one of more than 100 honorees to recently receive an Emerson 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award for his examples of merit in his field.
Wood, 51, lives in High Ridge with his wife, Dana, and his son, Jack. Wood received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education, master’s degree in education-curriculum and instruction at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and his education specialist degree at Southeast Missouri State University.
This school year marks Wood’s 17th year as a classroom teacher at Northwest High School. He currently teaches English III, honors English III and Lion Crew Leadership class. It is his 13th season as an assistant football coach and 14th year as the Lion Crew coordinator. Wood said his favorite part of teaching is the Northwest students.
“Interacting and building relationships with students is the absolute best part of my profession. Watching students grow academically, physically and emotionally is highly rewarding. Developing positive, lasting relationships allows this to be more than just a profession,” he said.
Wood said he strives to bring unquestionable commitment to the students and families of the Northwest community.
“I work hard to see our students as individuals and to make sure that they know how much I care about them while simultaneously holding them to high standards,” Wood said.
The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award is an annual program that honors educators throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area; educators are selected by their school administration for their dedication and impact on students and the school community.
To recognize the 2025 honorees, Emerson gave each educator an engraved crystal apple keepsake and a certificate of achievement.
In a recent Facebook video posted by the Northwest R-1 School District, Doréan Dow, Northwest R-1 interim superintendent, recognized Wood for his accomplishment.
“Mr. Wood is more than an exceptional educator; he is a trusted mentor and a driving force behind the leadership culture at our school,” Dow said in the video. “As the leader of the Lion Crew mentor program, he has helped cultivate a strong sense of community, integrity and respect among our student body. Through his guidance, student leaders gain the confidence and skills needed to mentor others.”
Wood said he was stunned and honored to have been chosen to receive the Emerson Award, highlighting the dedication of Northwest R-1 School District educators.
“I appreciate the outpouring of community congratulations and support that has come along with the award,” Wood said.
“I don’t think I’m all that different from most teachers. I think that this award could have easily been given to dozens of teachers in my district because I know there are many of us doing a whole lot of good in this community and beyond.”
For the complete list of the 2025 award recipients, visit emerson.com.