Wil Wortmann: An Airman turned Administrator

Meet Wil Wortmann (pictured here with his family, far right), a father, Air Force veteran, and an SNU Master of Arts in Educational Leadership May 2024 Graduate. Wortmann grew up in New York State, earning his undergraduate degree from Pace University in May 1993. While in college, Wortmann was a successful athlete in both football and lacrosse. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force in February 1994 as an Airborne Surveillance Technician on board the E3 AWACS, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, moving him to Oklahoma. 

Wortmann is happily married to his wife Melody of 25 years. They have been blessed with four children: Megan, Liam, Taylor, and Sara of which Megan and her husband Camden are both May 2022 SNU graduates. Wortmann’s family is very active, with each child playing sports throughout their lifetime. His family enjoys traveling to the beach each year and going on cruises. 

In 1998, Wortmann left the Air Force and earned his Oklahoma Teaching Certificate at the University of Central Oklahoma that spring. He began teaching at Putnam City North High School before transitioning to Putnam City High after three years, where he taught history and coached football and track. He then began teaching at Deer Creek High for six years, and after a few other position changes and passing his Principal OSAT exam, is now back at Putnam City North High School as the assistant principal.

Wortmann did not initially see himself pursuing a position such as assistant principal, but God had other plans. While at Putnam City Schools, the district partnered with SNU’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program. Wortmann said, “I went to the meeting that explained what the goals and processes of the program were going to be…I was taken by what the program had to offer, the partnership with my school district, and the idea of being in a cohort over the 20 months the degree would take to complete. If I hadn't gotten that email, I don't know if I would have pursued this degree to become an administrator.”

Not only did Wortmann begin to feel called to administration, but he felt called to SNU. He said, “I trusted the quality of education I was going to receive based on my oldest daughter and her husband graduating from SNU in the spring of the same year I started the MAEL program. I also enjoyed the Christian element within each course and looked forward to having that opportunity to reflect on a specific Bible verse that related to what we were discussing in class at the time. Lastly, I liked the partnership between Putnam City Schools and SNU where we would take all of our classes at our district's administrative building. This was very convenient for each of my classmates being that we all were full-time teachers working in the district.”

Reflecting on his time in the program, Wortmann said that the program was well-structured and he was able to “focus on one class at a time.” He also appreciated the camaraderie of his cohort and the ease and availability of SNU staff and faculty to answer his questions. Lastly, he was grateful that “the cost of the program was very reasonable to pay for, so much so I didn't take out a loan and just paid a little bit at a time. Without that reduced rate, I probably couldn't have participated in this wonderful program.” He continued, “I wasn't sure what to expect from this program. I hadn't been a college student since 1998, so coming back to school was a bit nerve-racking. But, each course was logically laid out, SNU provided plenty of support, using Canvas was easy and intuitive, and having our classes at our administrative building made this whole experience something I will forever be grateful for.”

Wortmann has been able to use his degree in many different capacities. He has had the opportunity to become an Instructional Coach, where he has supported his colleagues using what he had been taught in his classes. With the help of SNU’s free principal test prep workshop, he was also able to pass his Principal OSAT exam on his first attempt. Most notably, he used his degree to confidently apply for an administrative opening in Putnam City, where he now serves as Assistant Principal of Putnam City North High. He said, “This program was everything I could have possibly asked for based on how I was able to apply what was being taught immediately in my profession. [It has been] life-changing for me. I had felt restless after over 20 years of coaching and teaching until I was able to start working on my Master's degree thanks to SNU partnering with Putnam City Schools.”

He continued, “The opportunity to learn from our administrators, build relationships with my classmates who worked at every grade level within our district, along with the Christian influence, and have terrific support from Dr. Case and the other SNU professors made this a wonderful experience. My wife often says, "It's a God thing," when something comes along that blesses our lives unexpectedly. This program was exactly that–truly God's blessing for me and my classmates.”

Wil Wortmann’s story of dedication and faith is just one of the many stories of SNU graduates. With SNU’s guidance, he is living out his calling and running his race with a purposefully different mindset. SNU is proud to call him an alum, and we know that he will continue to have an outstanding impact on all of those he comes in contact with in his new role.