Even after 30 years in education, Katy Wheeler surprised herself.
When Superintendent Todd Guice created a new position “Supervisor of Elementary Schools” for the Ouachita Parish School System, it intrigued Wheeler – and she did not see that coming.
After spending the past 9 years as principal at Sterlington Elementary School, Wheeler thought she would make it an even 10 and then retire. It made perfect sense. Her daughter is entering her senior year at Sterlington High School, and Wheeler was perfectly happy being right across Highway 165, leading the largest elementary school in the Ouachita Parish School System.
“The more I thought about it and prepared for the interview, I became really excited about a new challenge at this stage in the game,” Wheeler said. “I started realizing I am not ready to retire, but I am ready for a new experience.”
Wheeler’s position took the place of a second Elementary School Director. Instead, she will be a supervisor and assist Curtis Pate, Director of Elementary Schools, Curriculum, Testing and Accountability.
Wheeler first met Pate more than 20 years ago when the two were working at a summer program. Pate later became the principal at Boley Elementary from 2001-2016 before moving to the Central Office in his current role.
“I just thought the world of him,” Wheeler said. “He’s been one of my supervisors for the last several years, so he’s a great guy and always very respectful. He would say, ‘You’re the principal. You run the school. I’m here to support, if you need me.’” So I think we’ve always had a good working relationship.”
Wheeler is hoping that her relationship with Pate will be the way principals view her now as she goes in and out of elementary schools. Part of Wheeler’s responsibilities will include new teacher professional development, evaluating principals, classroom observations and in-services.
“I was the principal of the largest elementary school in the district, and we were fairly successful with parents and high expectations of teachers,” Wheeler said. “I hope they (other principals) feel that I can be a resource to them if they need to bounce ideas off of me. If they have a difficult situation, how would they handle it? I hope for some of the principals I can be an unofficial mentor.”
Wheeler moved to the Central Office in mid-June so the emotions of leaving Sterlington Elementary are still fresh. Although she is excited about the same close-knit family atmosphere she left at Sterlington, it is met with sadness from leaving the kids she has watched grow over the past 9 years.
“When you’re in the classroom, it’s just that light bulb moment when you’re teaching something,” Wheeler said. “There were lots of moments that you know this is why I’m here. That’s what everyone tells me when you leave for Central Office. You won’t miss the principal job, but you will miss the kids, and a lot of my faculty was younger than me so they would come and share things with me. It’s still fresh, but I’m glad I’m here.”
THE WHEELER FILE
Fall 1993: Substitute at West Monroe Junior High
1994-2003: Kiroli Elementary
2003-2006: A.L. Smith
2006-2011: A.L. Smith, Curriculum Coordinator
2011-2014: Sterlington Elementary, Assistant Principal
2014-2023: Sterlington, Principal
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