For more than three decades, Carol Ostwalt has devoted her life to education, shaping the minds and futures of countless students. Currently a senior English, AP Language/English III, and AP Literature teacher at Chandler High School, Carol has been a fixture there since 2007—though her connection to the school goes back even further. In the early 1980s, she also taught English and French and coached cheer at Chandler, making her return to the district feel like coming home.
Teaching wasn’t just a career choice for Carol; it was a calling born out of her love for school. “I had great teachers growing up,” she recalls. “I loved my Western Civilization and Literature classes at OBU, and that inspired me to teach English.” Among the educators who left a lasting impact on her were Joan Butts, Jana Telford, LaChrica Jones, and Joe Telford—mentors whose influence she now strives to pass along to her students.
Carol’s teaching journey has taken her to several schools, including Amber/Pocasset High School, Idabel High School, Barstow Community College, and Montclair College Preparatory School in California. She also taught GT improvement classes at Fort Irwin, California, before finding her long-term home in Chandler.
What she enjoys most about being an educator is simple yet powerful: “I love the students. I love seeing them have successes—no matter how small. They keep me young,” she says. Her best piece of advice to other teachers reflects her years of experience: pick your battles.
Outside the classroom, Carol’s passion for adventure shines. She enjoys hiking, climbing mountains, and cycling, activities that reflect her determination and energy.
That same resilience carried her through a major personal challenge. In January 2024, Carol underwent a kidney transplant after a year on dialysis. Her donor was a former student who wanted to give back. “She said she was living her best life, and I had been a part of that. We remain close and talk frequently. It made all the years of teaching worth it.”
Carol’s story is one of dedication—to her students, her school, and to living fully both in and out of the classroom.
