School Of Rock Honors Bartels

By MICHELE SAGER The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2007

LIVE OAK PRESERVE - During her 35-year career with the school district, Nancy Bartels brought music and optimism to her students and colleagues.

So students and staff thought it only fitting to sing rock 'n' roll music while wearing rose-colored glasses at Sunday's dedication ceremony named for Bartels.

Hundreds attended the official dedication of Bartels Middle School, which opened in August. Board members applauded the successes of the new school, and administrators thanked all who had helped open the facility. But the day belonged to the memory of Bartels.

She began her career as a music teacher in 1970 at Dowdell Junior High. She later earned her master's degree in guidance and counseling, which she put to use at Tomlin Junior High as a guidance counselor. She later went on to work in the district offices. Bartels died in 2005.

"She made a difference and touched lives," said guidance counselor Sherry Ware. "She even wore rose-colored glasses to make her point."

Bartels' "claim to fame" was knowing all the words to "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen. The Bartels Middle School band and choir performed the song while wearing sunglasses.

Bartels' husband, Freedom High Principal Richard Bartels, said his wife was ahead of her time when it came to education.

She integrated exceptional-education students into her classes long before it was law and concentrated on closing the achievement gap between races before it became a national initiative.

School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said Nancy Bartels had a calming effect on people, including Elia.

"When I would get frantic, she would simply put her hand on my arm," Elia said. "She knew how to deal with all of us."

The ceremony closed with a slideshow of Nancy Bartels' life, from a baby to young woman at the piano, to mother and wife on family trips, to simply a friend and co-worker at school.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.