We are proud to announce that Mr. Robert Wood has been named the founding Head of Operations for BASIS Independent Bothell. Mr. Wood is currently the Head of Operations at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower and will be joining the Bothell administrative team in spring 2025.

Letter from Mr. Wood, Head of Operations

When I think back to my childhood teachers, a few key individuals come to mind. My grade 5 teacher inspired me to stay positive through challenges. My middle school art teacher embraced the philosophy of “no mistakes, only happy accidents”. And my high school economics teacher taught me the basic principles of microeconomics and the practical economics of looming adulthood. Each of them left a lasting impression, and I strive to embody them as a school administrator and leader today.  

When I joined BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in the fall of 2020, I was unsure of what to expect. It didn’t take long to realize that I had become part of something special. Although I already had a few years of teaching experience, it was spectacular to join a program where students are not only challenged academically but also provided with a wide array of opportunities outside of the classroom to explore their passions and discover new interests. I sought to capture the imaginations of my history students, guide them through the argumentative reasoning process in classroom activities, and, hopefully, inspire future entrepreneurs.  

While I will forever treasure the experiences that I had in the classroom, I found my greatest impact in supporting the opening of BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower in the fall of 2022. If opening a new school wasn’t enough of an adventure, being part of one of the largest campus openings in BASIS Independent Schools history sure was! As a member of the Operations Team, I developed systems to ensure the school ran smoothly and worked cross-functionally to maintain our high standards for excellence in all aspects of the student and parent experience.  Over the past few years, it has been incredibly fulfilling to continue learning and adapting to the needs of a new school. My team and I have implemented adjustments, both big and small, to make our students’ daily lives easier. We have empowered our teachers by ensuring they have the materials they need to deliver engaging and joyful lessons. Additionally, we have supported our Auxiliary Team by catering to a multitude of club offerings, after-school competitions, and summer camps. 

Opening BASIS Independent Bothell is the next exciting chapter in this journey. My wife and I have been enthusiastically planning our move to Bothell, while also preparing for the arrival of our first child, due in December! When we visited the Pacific Northwest many years ago, we fell in love with it instantly and knew it was the exact environment in which we wanted to raise our family. 

As we approach the opening of BASIS Independent Bothell, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a founding staff member once again. Being part of a founding team is a unique opportunity to help shape the school culture, alongside students and parents, and to build a strong and supportive administrative and teaching team in collaboration with our Head of School, Mr. Runyon. My role as Head of Operations will also allow me to dedicate focused attention to supporting our future Auxiliary and Summer Program Team members. 

Ultimately, my goal is to be a pillar of support and ensure that every day at BASIS Independent Bothell is a success. I can’t wait to meet all of you. 

I am proud to be an Orca. 

Mr. Robert Wood
Head of Operations