YSO Academy

Gena Hood spent 30 years in public education. She began as a music teacher and moved into building-level leadership, where she served for 21 years, including nine years as a school principal in Cherokee County, Georgia. She holds Georgia L-6 certification in Administration and Supervision and in Music Education, along with reading and gifted education endorsements. She also holds two advanced degrees in education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

As an elementary school principal, Gena led two schools through major organizational change. She nearly doubled enrollment at Macedonia Elementary School and guided F.D. Johnston Elementary School through a full redistricting.

Gena was named Cherokee County Council PTA's Outstanding Principal of the Year in 2009. After retiring from full-time education, she founded Hood Educational Services, LLC. There, she develops and delivers staff development in gifted education and trains future educators, including a term as a part-time instructor at Kennesaw State University supervising student teachers.

Gena has served as treasurer of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society's Gamma Eta chapter. She continues to volunteer and consult in her local community.

"In these courses, I share the perspective of the organization's leader. I want to help you lead with confidence and give your team tools they can use right away."