In most cases, teachers do not decide to enter the teaching profession out of the blue. There is usually a teacher or someone in an educational role that has an impact on that decision. Delwin Bartelt had a few teachers and instructors that helped guide him down this career path.

“As a student in Wisconsin, I had several teachers that did inspire me,” he said. “Mr. Cooper, my political science teacher, and Mr. Zimmerman, my eighth and ninth-grade football head coach. At Oklahoma State University, there were three professors that helped me to realize that I had made the right choice. They were Steinbrink, Tait, and Patterson. Also, a graduate student/teacher Donna Hoffman also inspired me in my Government class.”

Now a teacher at Ponca City High School, Bartelt teaches a number of subjects and also wears other hats in his department.

“I teach Geography, AP Geography, World History, and AP World History currently,” he stated. “However I have taught Government, Oklahoma History, and US History as well. I am also the Department head for Social Studies and the coach of the Academic team. I was asked to fulfill many of those duties and I agreed.”

Just as his life was influenced by his teachers, Delwin hopes to be an inspirational teacher to his students and help them find the path that they should take.

“I want my student to be life-long learners and to be successful no matter what they do after high school,” he said. “Whether it is the military, college, vo-tech, trade, or just entering the workforce right away.”

Along with being part of the school district, Bartelt enjoys being a part of the community of Ponca City as well.

“I love the diversity of the student body here at Ponca City,” he said. “As far as Ponca City, it is the smallest town I have lived in in my life but I enjoy the laid-back atmosphere it does provide. In addition, it is close to many big cities when I need something bigger.”

When he is not teaching, Bartelt enjoys hanging with family or friends, their dogs, OSU sports live and on TV, reading, and sometimes I will play video games.