St. Andrews School

Kathryn LaMar, Math and Science Tutor

Raised in nearby Chattanooga, Kathryn, along with the entire LaMar family, has long been a part of Wears Valley Ranch.  As a child Kathryn attended and later worked as a counselor for Camp Arrowwood, visited the Ranch during family vacations, and prayed daily for the Lord's blessing upon WVR.

For as long as I remember, every night, when we prayed as a family, we would ask the Lord to bless the Woods and WVR.  [...]  My parents nudged me to come work at the Ranch for a while, but it wasn't until this year that the Lord turned my heart to come to the Ranch.

Kathryn received her Bachelor of Science from Union University with a double major in Biology and Music and a minor in Chemistry.  After graduation, she remained at the university to teach an anatomy and physiology lab.  We are blessed that Kathryn is here now, sharing her love for God and His creation.

I love life, and I love how God designed our bodies to work!  I hope that as we study science and some of the intricate details of creation, we respond to the marvelous Creator in gratitude.  [...]  More than being filled with knowledge of the sciences and arts, I care about [the students] knowing God.

Gwen Mathis, School Administrator

Gwen came to the Ranch from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in February, 2006.  After serving as a mentor at Laurel Ridge for two and a half years, she began tutoring in the school in the fall of 2008.  Gwen felt called to further her understanding of how to work with students with special needs, and through diligent study she has now achieved a Master's degree in Special Education from Abilene Christian University.  As the St. Andrews School Administrator, Gwen organizes the day-to-day operations of the school, oversees testing, and tutors students.  If all of that weren’t enough, she is also a talented musician – teaching piano and helping lead worship with the flute and guitar, among other instruments.  We thank God for bringing such a godly, multi-talented lady to facilitate the education efforts at St. Andrews School! 

Kam Werder, Food Services Director

Kam, along with his wife Josephine, moved to Wears Valley in June of 2011 from Black Mountain, North Carolina. After graduating from Montreat College, Kam remained at the college to work with the food services department. His passion for nutrition, cooking, and the farm to table movement sparked a connection with founder Jim Wood's vision for cooking here at the Ranch. As food services director, Kam serves the main mid-day meal to Ranch staff and students five days a week. He also prepares all meals during our summer camp program and for various retreats and volunteer groups throughout the year. He hopes to share with the students his passion for "healthy food that connects the land to the table with gratitude to the Lord who makes all things grow."

Andrew Wood, Humanities Director

Andrew was only nine years old when his parents moved to Tennessee to found Wears Valley Ranch. When they filled in as Houseparents for seven months Andrew lived with the other boys at Christopher House. He graduated from St. Andrew’s School, entered the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, then transferred to Boyce College at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. 

Graduating Boyce with highest honors in 2003, he went on to obtain an Advanced Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary in 2006. He then returned to the Ranch to help his Dad. While here he met his beautiful wife Hannah who came to the Ranch with her Dad on a mission trip. 

After serving with Hannah as a houseparent for almost two years, Andrew became the Humanities Director at St. Andrews School in June 2010.  He continues to serve as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 278 at the Ranch.  The Lord is kind! 

Jim Wood, Headmaster

Jim, along with his wife Susan, founded Wears Valley Ranch to meet the needs of children who come from families in crisis. Their founding documents emphasized the importance of providing an education that is biblically Christian and tailored to the needs of the individual child. As part of the holistic ministry at the Ranch, every child is provided a tutorial education. Susan's degree in education assisted her in developing St. Andrew's School, where she also served for eight years as Principal and continues to offer consultation as needed, providing wise counsel and innovative approaches to teaching children. Jim's gifts as a teacher and his contagious love for God undergird the entire school program with a sense of excitement about learning.