This year, he started a program for boys at the school called "Acorns to Oaks," that is offered in two 30-minute sessions - once for fourth-graders, and once for fifth-graders.
During each session the boys, or acorns, discuss what's going on at home and at school. They set goals, make schedules and learn about leadership, Wooden said. When they go to middle school, they become oaks, he said.
The second program is a state initiative called 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Through this program, latchkey children who are struggling academically, participate in enrichment activities, including robotics, readers theater, art, math, reading and science, Wooden said.
When Wooden learned he was selected as Teacher of the Year, he was humbled. But Harmony Welsh, a student in his class, knew her teacher was going to win, she said.
"He's just a super teacher," said Harmony, 10, of Aberdeen. "He knows when we have bad days, and he always cheers us up. He plays games with us and wants us to exercise and get rest at night. He explains hard stuff so we can understand it."
He sets the students up to succeed, said Victoria French, 10, of Aberdeen, also a student in his class. "He challenges us, but if the challenge is too hard, he lowers the challenge so we can all do it," she said. "He's not like other teachers, he adds humor. And he relates things to himself. He treats us like friends, not students."
Accolades aren't what keep him coming back for more, he said. It's reaching the children.
"When I leave at the end of a school day, I walk past the playground and students are out there playing basketball," he said. "They call out, `What's up, Mr. Wooden?' Or they come up and give me a high five or a hug. I know that if nothing else, I have earned their respect. That makes it all worthwhile to me."
