All boys. All boarding. Grades 9-12.

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Department

Academic Development

Our Faculty

Indira Cope

Academic Development

540-672-3900 ext 8608

Oberlin College - BA
Framingham State College - MEd
Middlebury College - MA

indira_cope@woodberry.org

2000
Bio
Indira Cope, holder of the Peter B. ’24 and Adeline W. Ruffin Foundation Chair, supports students from her position in the Academic Development Center. She coaches debate and recreational golf. She has been a member of the faculty since 2000 and has taught Spanish and served as a college counselor at Woodberry. Following her graduation from Oberlin College, she went to Panama with the Peace Corps and remained there to teach science, math, and English. Ms. Cope earned a master’s of education from Framingham State College, and, as a Craigie Scholar, a master’s degree in Spanish at Middlebury College. She lives on campus with her family.
Dr. Jackson Matteo

Academic Development, Athletics

Academic Development Center, Head Football Coach, and Assistant Athletic Director

University of Virginia - BA
University of Virginia - MEd
University of Virginia - EdD

jackson_matteo@woodberry.org

2021
Bio
Jackson Matteo is a three-time graduate of the University of Virginia, where he played football from 2012-2016 and served as team captain in 2016. Since then, he served the University of Virginia football program as a graduate assistant coach, working with the defensive backs and the offensive line from 2017-2019 before coming to Woodberry in 2021. Jackson finished his doctorate of education (Ed.D) in Spring 2023 through the UVA School of Education and Human Development, where his research focused on the transition experiences of Black Division-I football players who experience a redshirt-freshman year at a predominantly white institution.

Currently, Jackson works alongside Ted Watson and Indira Cope with individual students in the Smoot Center for Academic Development, is the head football coach for the varsity football team, works as an assistant athletic director, and lives in Griffin House with his wife Averi.
Ted Watson

Academic Development

Academic Development Center

University of Vermont - BS
Stevenson University - MEd

ted_watson@woodberry.org

2020
Bio
Ted Watson serves as the director of academic development in the Smoot Center for Academic Development.

Originally from Baltimore, Ted holds a master’s degree in teaching, with a focus on STEM education, from Stevenson University. He also holds a certificate in learning differences and neurodiversity with a specialization in executive function and ADHD support from Landmark College, an institution designed for students who learn differently and the educators who support them.

He is an experienced outdoor educator and the head coach of the mountain biking team.
Gracie Wessinger

Academic Development, Health Services

(540) 672-3900 Ext. 8652

Lynchburg College - BA, MA

gracie_wessinger@woodberry.org

2022
Bio
Grace Wessinger serves as the health education teacher and support counselor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in counseling education from Lynchburg College. Before coming to Woodberry, she served as the director of guidance services at Christchurch School for seven years. At Christchurch she served as a counselor, health educator, and director of the school’s advisory program. She lives with her husband, Will, and their two children in House E.

Woodberry Forest School is an exceptional private school community for high school boys in grades nine through twelve. It is one of the top boarding schools in the United States and one of the only all-boys, all-boarding schools in the country.

Woodberry Forest, VA 22989
Phone: 540-672-3900

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Woodberry Forest admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, and national or ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. The school is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.