Leslie Bartsch has accepted the position of Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Northern California Conference, bringing nearly three decades of experience in Adventist education.
Originally planning a career in law, Bartsch studied history and political science at La Sierra University. During her final year of college, a placement in a second-grade classroom shifted her trajectory. That experience clarified her calling to education, and after earning her teaching credential, she began teaching in Fontana in 1998.
Guided by a belief that every child can learn—and that students develop at different paces and in different ways—Bartsch has built her career around supporting student growth and helping schools create environments where learning can take root. She joined Chico Oaks Adventist School in 2008 and became principal in 2018. The school also holds deep personal significance, with three generations of her family attending, including her sons, Wyatt and Conner.
In her new role, Bartsch plans to draw on her classroom and administrative experience to support principals and teachers across the Northern California Conference. Her focus remains on strengthening schools and continuing to serve students through strong, mission-centered leadership.
Patty Osborne, NCC Vice President of Education, shared, “Leslie is the perfect fit for our conference. She has earned trust everywhere she has served—with her school families, her colleagues, and the principals who work alongside her. I couldn’t be more excited for our schools to have her support.”
Leslie and her husband, Rob, whom she met while attending Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, have been married for 29 years. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends
Featured in Northern Lights, June, 25 2026
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