Tehachapi News

Susan Ortega hired as Jacobsen Middle School Principal

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Trustees of the Tehachapi Unified School District unanimously voted last week to offer Susan Ortega the  position of principal at Jacobsen Middle School beginning next school year. Ortega was chosen out of a pool of 25 candidates that interviewed with a panel consisting of administrators, teachers, classified employees and their union representatives.

She was greeted with a round of enthusiastic applause at the June 23 school board meeting.

“My focus is always student centered,” Ortega wrote in a letter to the selection committee. “Going the extra mile to ensure that what is best for students comes first, even when decisions are not the most popular ones. My style of working with my staff is open and honest communication.”

Ortega was not available for an interview before press time, but she said she plans to relocate to Tehachapi this summer, from Northern California where she was employed as the principal of Johnson Junior High School.

“Susan builds positive relationships with all of the stake holders, including students, staff and parents,” wrote Kathy Woods, Director of the Marysville Joint Unified School District’s Child Development Program. “Susan accomplishes this through not only her positive attitude and genuine compassion, but by being visible on her campus and being available to her many clients. Susan maintains an openness to new ideas and works collaboratively with her community partners as well.”

With 13 years of classroom experience and seven years of administrative experience, Ortega has an M.A. in linguistics and is now working on a dissertation for a doctorate in Education Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction.

Her undergraduate degree created the foundation for her continued career in education.

“My B.A. in child development and family crisis helps me counsel my students and understand their needs,” Ortega said. “Having raised six children of my own and helping raise two grandchildren are added strengths when working both students and their parents.”

Ortega’s resume indicates that she is also fluent in Spanish and cultural customs of Mexico, and has spent three years creating and supervising after school programs in up to 13 schools over two districts.

“Susan has many qualities that give rise to her being an effective site administrator,” Woods continued. “Susan maintains a tremendous sense of purpose, believing that all children can and will learn.”

Combining experience with compassionate, enthusiastic, wise, leadership is how Ortega described her goal for serving the students of Jacobsen Middle School.

“It is my focus to bring any campus or district in which I am the leader to increased student achievement, a higher rate of parental involvement, and good and strong staff morale.”

Posted June 29, 2009; Volume 110 - No.12, print edition July 1, 2009.