Kayra Wood has been appointed as the new principal of Saint John the Baptist Middle School in Draper. Wood previously served as the assistant principal for the elementary school located on the Skaggs Catholic Center campus.
Wood holds an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Winona State University in Minnesota. She also completed an educational leadership certificate from Utah Valley University. Her career in education began in the public sector in 1999 before she transitioned into Catholic education. She has served in three dioceses, including Salt Lake City since 2021, as well as Arlington, Virginia, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Wood stated that leading the middle school represents the culmination of her years of experience in Catholic education. She expressed a desire to foster a community at Saint John the Baptist Middle School that focuses on academic excellence, faith formation, personal growth, service, and responsibility for the common good. Wood aims to provide a supportive environment that prepares students for high school by developing the whole student through tailored educational experiences and leadership development.
Wood, who was raised Lutheran and became Catholic in 2006, noted that her role in Catholic education for 11 years has been a significant part of her career. She emphasized that the school plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders by focusing on both academic excellence and personal growth.
