In a tragic motor vehicle collision, Delta Junior High teacher Lindsay Ohlert died November 29. The incident occurred north of Shaw Creek at Mile 287 of the Ricardson Highway.
According to Alaska State Troopers, the incident involved two vehicles, leading to Ohlert's vehicle rolling during the collision. Ohlert, who was alone in her vehicle, was trapped and pronounced deceased at the scene. The occupants of the other vehicle were uninjured. Troopers are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Next of kin were notified early Thursday morning and school officials say counselors have been available to assist students in dealing with the tragedy.
Ohlert taught several different classes at DJHS and also provided informal translation services in Russian and Spanish.
She was hired in 2010 by then-superintendent Laural Jackson to teach at New Horizons High School. Jackson remembers Ohlert as being a highly qualified teacher in 10-12 areas. Her actual degree was in bilingual education. Delta was her first professional position.
“It was very nice for the district, because we needed someone who met all these criteria,” Jackson said in an phone interview on Tuesday.
Ohlert was good about leading other teachers in college courses, Jackson noted, providing professional development.
“Basically she was teaching college level courses to other teachers. One of the courses was how to teach bilingual kids,” Jackson explained.
“She was such an amazing person as far as intelligence,” Jackson remembered.
Fluent in Russian and Spanish both, Ohlert got moved to the junior high partially to work with bilingual kids, at first a lot of Russian immigrant students.
As a person, Jackson remembers Ohlert as being very positive.
“She was just always smiling,” she said. “Whenever I would just stop and see her, she was always happy.”
Former colleague and friend Nicole Pugh echoed Jackson’s assessment of Ohlert’s character.
“She lived life very joyfully,” Pugh said. “She was always up for an adventure.”
“She was brilliant with languages. That was really nice for all of our bilingual population,” Pugh remembered. “It’s going to be impossible to fill her shoes. Over the years she’s stepped up into a lot of different roles.”
As a teacher, Pugh said Ohlert was the kind who went out of her way to make students feel special and successful.
She taught evening classes for UAF sometimes, Pugh said, such as photography and Russian language. Ohlert was a noted local photographer who especially enjoyed photographing the northern lights.
She leaves behind her loving and loyal dogs that are now in need of a new home. (Family has surrendered them to Heart Fur Animals). Jet and Finley are a bonded pair that need to be adopted together as Finley is blind, and their sudden loss has them needing each other. Finley is a two-year-old schnauzer, golden retriever, and rottweiler mix, and Jet is a five-year-old standard poodle. Text 907-616-9900, or email heartfuranimalsdelta@gmail.com if you are interested in adopting these two sweet boys.
No memorial service in Delta Junction has been planned for Ohlert at this time.
Jeff Lansing, principal of Delta Junior High, did not provide any comment. Delta Greely School District Superintendent Shaun Streyle was out of the district and unavailable for comment.
