Celebrating the Careers of Two Impactful Faculty Members

June 2025

With the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year, two long-time Lutheran West faculty members have officially retired. 

Mr. Jim Fenske served Lutheran West and its students for an incredible 55 years, starting in 1970. Longhorns in six different decades had Mr. Fenske as a teacher, a Chapel and worship leader, a Bible study leader, a coach, and a mentor. So many students recall his Religion classes – particularly Christian Ethics  – as a pivotal time in their faith development, many of them saying that they have kept their Christian Ethics notebooks for years and decades after graduation. Jim remains active in the ministerial team at Community of Hope in Brecksville. When asked what he plans to do in retirement, he said he plans to “patiently wait for God to show him the next step in his journey.”

In December 2024, Fenske was honored with the Cleveland Lutheran Educational Endowment Fund (CLEEF)’s Outstanding Lutheran School Leadership Award for his dedication to the values and mission of Lutheran education. 

Principal Joel Bahr says, “Jim’s career at Lutheran West is the epitome of service as a Lutheran educator. He has been a constant at Lutheran West for 55 years, which is 82% of the school’s entire history. That in itself is incredible. But to think of the sheer number of students to whom he has ministered, modeled Christian behavior, and been a positive example during their formative years – now that is a legacy of which anyone should be incredibly proud. Thank you, Jim, for loving Lutheran West and being such an important part of its story.”

After 43 total years of educational ministry (14 years at Lutheran West), Mrs. Cindy (Puls) O’Hara Schlotman ‘81 also concluded her last year at Lutheran West with the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Having been surrounded by Lutheran West her entire life (her parents are graduates, and her four children all attended Lutheran West), Mrs. Schlotman taught math and physical education, and she was active in leading students in student council as well as in faith-based extra-curricular activities, including Longhorns for Life. Cindy’s growing family of children, children-in-law, and grandchildren is a true blessing to her and she looks forward to having more time to spend with all of them.

Principal Bahr commented, “Cindy is not only a great educator, but she is someone who leads by example and proudly shares her Christian beliefs with all those around her. It is what we are all called to do as Christians, and we were so very blessed that she chose to do it here at Lutheran West. She will be missed and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

At the end of the school year, a celebration of the careers of these two educators was held at Lutheran West. Mr. Mark Fenske ‘98, who himself has served Lutheran West and the CLHSA, spoke about his father Jim, his personal journey to faith and to family, and how that journey has impacted his life in every possible way – and, in turn, has impacted the lives of thousands of students through the years.

Mr. Jacob O’Hara ‘07, who himself has served at Lutheran West as a teacher and administrator since 2018, spoke about his mother Cindy, saying that the most important lesson he’s learned from her is to serve like Jesus, and thanking her for showing himself and his three siblings how to live a Christ-focused life.

Lutheran West will certainly miss Mr. Fenske and Mrs. Schlotman, but the entire Longhorn community sends them off with heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for many happy, healthy years ahead—surrounded by family and enjoying all the blessings of retirement.