Letter from Dr. Oberkehr
To all of our Shark Families:
After 37 years in public education, I will be retiring at the end of the first semester.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the St Johns County Board of Education, the district administration, and the Ponte Vedra High School community for the opportunity to serve our Shark families for the past 11 years. Truly these years have been the very best of my career.
I want to thank the faculty and staff who have created a learning environment that is second to none. They are the heart of the school. I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the best educational professionals of my career. I have watched time and again how they spend their time, energy, and patience to help each and every student succeed. You give your heart to our students. Thank you for allowing me to walk along side with you. I have learned more from you than you may realize.
I know that neither I nor Ponte Vedra High School are perfect. It has not always been easy. We have been challenged over the years by COVID, budget restrictions, hurricanes and safety concerns. There have been setbacks and all kinds of individual struggles that caused angst and anxiety. In the end, we have persevered and met every challenge together, a testament to the courage, character and fortitude of our Shark Families.
I will remember fondly all the celebrations for academic successes, athletic championships, stage performances, concerts, competitions, award ceremonies, and graduation commencements. But most of all, I will remember students who finally understood something after weeks of struggle. I will remember teachers staying late because their students needed their help. I will remember all the unexpected moments of our students being themselves, i.e. simply really good people. I will remember the “no quit” attitude so many of our students espouse.
Although we have been deemed highly successful according to just about every metric by which we are measured, it has been, for me, more about our families. Students who found their confidence. Graduates who found their path in life. Teachers who changed lives. Families who believe in their children.
Lastly, I hope that in some small way I have lived up to the expectations of the founding principal, Craig Speziale, who wanted nothing more than for Ponte Vedra High School to be a place where all students can be a part of something special.
Thank you for an incredible journey. Thank you for allowing me to serve and lead. And, thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. I wish you all the very best!
With gratitude, pride and tremendous appreciation,
Fredrik Oberkehr, Ed.D., Almost Former Principal 😊
Ponte Vedra High School