Future superintendent found passion to teach in Navy

Dr. Ken Oertling

When Dr. Ken Oertling was on a submarine during his days as a member of the U.S. Navy, he was tasked with running a college preparatory program, helping young sailors through the process of getting their certification. It was about that time he learned something about himself that would set him down his future path.

He loved to teach; Oertling realized he was, at his heart, an educator.

“I found my inspiration there,” said Oertling, who served in the Navy for six years as a Radioman Electronics Technician and was named Sailor of the Year in 2016. “I ran through the program pretty quickly and always found myself helping others get qualified and learn (the material) … I started feeling as though teaching was something that really fulfilled me. I developed that passion and felt that was going to be a lifelong pursuit of mine.”

Now, several years later, it’s a passion that’s guided him to become the eventual leader of the St. Charles Parish public school district. Last week the parish’s School Board voted Oertling the district’s next superintendent, a role he will officially step into on July 1 pending a contractual agreement.

“I’m extremely honored and feel so blessed,” said Oertling, the parish’s current Executive Director of Secondary Schools. “It’s very humbling to have the support of the Board as well as the community.”

He will succeed current Superintendent Felecia Gomez-Walker, who has announced she will retire at the end of the school year after 42 years as an educator in St. Charles Parish. Gomez-Walker has served as superintendent since 2013.

Oertling joined the school district initially as a teacher and coach at Hahnville High School in 2001. He transitioned into administration from there, holding positions as administrative monitor, assistant principal and principal of Hahnville High. The latter position saw him achieve success that led to his selection as Louisiana’s High School Principal of the Year in 2015. He moved into his current role with the school district’s central office.

He said he sought the position, in part, because he felt he has much to give, and said he wanted to do his part to ensure the positive growth and direction the district has maintained under Gomez-Walker’s leadership is sustained.

“Obviously when a leader like our superintendent is preparing to leave, you want to stay on the right track,” Oertling said. “I thought it was important that whoever is selected as superintendent is someone who’s invested in our community, business and industry and all the positive things we have in this parish. Over the years, I’ve established many great relationships with so many people in our school system as well as our parish … I felt I’d be a good candidate.”

While he expressed gratitude for his fellow educators, Oertling made clear that the best interests of the student must come first in all decisions made. Each must be given the absolute best chance to find success.

“Every student matters, and every moment counts,” Oertling said. “Each and every decision we make has to ensure that every student can be successful … without that belief, you will never be able to positively impact students. But as long as you always keep that thought in the back of your mind, every decision you make will be in the best interest of your students and their families.”

In terms of his specific plans for the district’s future, Oertling said much is still to be determined, and that during the transition process from his current position to superintendent, he will meet with Gomez-Walker, board members and stakeholders “to gather feedback relative to the future of our school system.”

“A key for me is leaning on trusted, valued voices to help make those important, collaborative decisions. And it will be a collaboration. It’s not just me,” Oertling said.

 

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