At Robert E. Lee High School, relationships extend far beyond the classroom. Investing in students and creating connections that last long after graduation are part of what makes the campus special.

 

That is exactly what made Lee the perfect fit for the Wood family.

 

During the 2025-2026 school year, Quinn Wood, Kim Wood, and their son, Landon Wood, all joined the Lee High School family, bringing decades of experience, a passion for serving students, and a unique opportunity to work alongside one another every day.

 

Known affectionately among the students as "Papa Wood, Mama Wood, and Baby Wood," the trio spent its first year at Lee creating memories few families ever have the chance to experience.

 

"We know this is a unique situation," said Quinn. "We're appreciative of it, and we don't take it for granted."

 

Landon, Kim, and Quinn Wood spent their first year together at Lee High School, serving students and building connections across campus. Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman.

 

For Quinn and Kim, the journey to Lee followed careers that spanned decades in Dayton ISD. Quinn spent his coaching career leading football and track programs, while Kim served students as a counselor. Quinn's impact on generations of student-athletes earned him induction into the Dayton Hall of Fame, and together the couple devoted their careers to serving students and families in the Dayton community.

 

After retirement, the couple moved to Oklahoma, expecting to enjoy a slower pace of life and spend more time with family. They remained there for four years before an unexpected call brought them back to Texas.

 

That opportunity was rooted in relationships built over decades. Lee Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach Roger Sutterfield and Coach Ford Smesny were both former players of Quinn's at Dayton High School. Years later, both returned to Dayton as coaches, where they worked alongside Quinn.

 

When a coaching position opened at Lee, Coach Smesny first reached out to Landon, who was coaching football and baseball in Splendora ISD. After Landon accepted the position, Quinn saw a chance to return to the profession he loved while coaching alongside his son for the first time.

 

Today, Quinn teaches aquatic science while serving as Lee's defensive backs and track coach. Landon teaches physical education and serves as the defensive line coach, track coach, head boys' and girls' powerlifting coach, and strength-and-conditioning coordinator for the football program. Kim serves as secretary to Lee's Academic Dean, allowing all three members of the family to work together on the same campus each day.

 

That decision carries even greater meaning because there was a time when Quinn wasn't sure what the future would hold.

 

During Landon's junior year of high school, Quinn was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. The diagnosis led him to retire earlier than he had planned. After successfully overcoming the disease and spending several years in retirement, he was given that unexpected opportunity to return to the profession he loves.

 

The Wood family says one of the reasons Lee felt like home so quickly was the campus culture.

 

Known for its close-knit staff and deep commitment to students, Lee High School embraces the belief that "Once a Gander, always a Gander." Staff members go above and beyond to support students both inside and outside the classroom, creating a family atmosphere that resonated with the Woods from the beginning.

 

"The people here truly care about kids," Quinn said. "That was something we felt right away."

 

The Woods spent their entire lives as Dayton Broncos, but it did not take long for them to embrace being Ganders.

 

"We quickly bought into the Lee culture," Kim said. "We're invested in these kids. We love the Ganders, and we love working with them."

 

That culture starts with relationships. Under Sutterfield's leadership, the football program has built a reputation for emphasizing family and connection.

 

"The football team here is focused on family," Landon said. "Coach Sutterfield has created that culture, and that's one of the reasons we love being here."

 

The Woods have also built a reputation for opening their hearts and their home to students. Throughout their years in education, they have welcomed young people in need of support and guidance.

 

Looking ahead, Quinn and Kim hope to remain at Lee for the remainder of their careers, while Landon hopes to continue growing professionally.

 

No matter where the future leads, the Woods agree on one thing: being able to work together every day is a gift.

 

Not many families get the chance to share the same campus, support the same students, and cheer for the same team.

 

For the Woods, Lee's commitment to students and strong sense of community made it easy to feel at home among the Ganders.

 

And as the saying goes at Lee High School, "Once a Gander, always a Gander."