I was born on June 10, 1978, to Curtis and Toni Young at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. I spent the first seventeen years of my life in Matteson, Illinois, where my parents, family, and neighbors instilled in me strong morals, values, and goals that shaped my foundation. From an early age, I understood the importance of hard work, integrity, and responsibility. My educational journey began at Woodgate Elementary School, where I spent eight formative years learning, growing, and discovering my passions. During this time, I was actively engaged in basketball, baseball, soccer, track, cross-country, and band. I also participated in Student Council and other educational programs that fostered leadership and civic responsibility. These experiences helped me graduate with high honors and prepared me for the challenges ahead.

After elementary school, I attended Rich South High School in Richton Park, Illinois, where I continued to pursue both academic and extracurricular excellence. I remained active in sports and band while maintaining a rigorous academic schedule, striving to balance intellectual growth with personal development. I was honored to be inducted into Who’s Who Among American High School Students for three consecutive years and became a member of the National Honor Society, graduating in 1996. These achievements reflected my dedication to scholarship, leadership, and service, as well as my commitment to setting and maintaining high standards for myself.

Following high school, I attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, where I earned an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in English. College broadened my horizons, teaching me independence, perseverance, and the importance of balancing multiple responsibilities. It also introduced me to new perspectives, challenges, and opportunities that helped shape my professional ambitions. I later pursued a Master’s degree in English at Governors State University, deepening my understanding of literature, pedagogy, and the power of education to transform lives.

Immediately after completing my graduate studies, I began my career in District #152 in Harvey, Illinois, dedicating myself to education and mentorship. Over the past twenty-four years, I have held numerous positions, earned a Double Master’s Degree, and obtained both Teacher and Administrator Licensures. Today, I proudly serve as Assistant Principal at King Middle School, where I am committed to fostering student growth, supporting staff development, and engaging parents and the community. I am also exploring a Doctoral program to continue expanding my knowledge and leadership abilities.

My journey—from childhood in Matteson to my role as an educational leader—reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and excellence. I am dedicated to giving my full effort toward creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-achieving environment for the students, staff, and families of King

With more than two decades of experience in special education, early childhood services, and district-level leadership, Nathan Ortman is a seasoned educator and coordinator dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Currently serving as the Special Education Coordinator for Kankakee School District 111, He brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, program development, and systems-level problem solving.

From 2015–2025, Nathan has served as the district’s IEP Coordinator, acting as LEA for IEP meetings across the Preschool Program and leading critical processes for evaluations, eligibility, transition from Early Intervention, and annual reviews. In this role, Nathan specialized in data-informed decision-making, service projections, designing high-quality IEP goals, and ensuring seamless communication across educators, families, and service providers.

Before district-level leadership, Nathan spent seven years as a Special Education Teacher in a Pre-K self-contained setting, where they created nurturing, language-rich environments rooted in developmentally appropriate practice, strong instructional design, and family engagement. His teaching experience spans early childhood through fifth grade in both resource and self-contained settings, with a consistent focus on individualized instruction, behavioral supports, and collaborative teaming.

Earlier in their career, Nathan served as a Learning Partner and Behavior Interventionist, coaching teachers and administrators in MTSS, PBIS, AIMSweb implementation, classroom management, and data-based decision-making across multiple districts. Their work included co-writing MTSS manuals, supporting Action Plan development, and providing districtwide training in assessment systems, de-escalation techniques, and co-teaching practices.

Nathan began his journey in education as a Speech Paraprofessional, building foundational expertise in communication development, early childhood screenings, and IEP progress monitoring—experience that continues to shape their comprehensive understanding of student needs.

Nathan holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Chicago State University and a Type 75 School Improvement Leadership endorsement from Olivet Nazarene University, along with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Governors State University.