Mary Beth Gaertner, Ed.D. is the Director Emeritus at Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas.
Dr. Gaertner has been an educator and administrator for over 40 years. She served as an educator and speech pathologist in the Alief, Aldine, Spring and Magnolia, Texas public schools, and as an adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University and North Harris County Community College for over 10 years. Her experience in private parochial education began at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Spring, Texas, and she served as the principal for Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas from 2000 through 2021, having begun the early childhood program there in 1981.
A graduate of the University of Houston, Dr. Gaertner earned her bachelor's in speech pathology and audiology. She went on to earn a master's in elementary education from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate in educational administration from California Coast University.
In 2011, Dr. Gaertner wrote the book "Way to Go" to help other schools achieve positive communication between parents and teachers using a simple, research-based method.
In 2013, Dr. Gaertner was named “National Distinguished Principal” by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, representing CAPE (Council for American Private Education), a coalition of national organizations and state affiliates serving private elementary and secondary schools.
Dr. Gaertner currently serves on the Board of Regents for Concordia University of Texas. She lives in Magnolia, Texas, with her husband, Dean. They have two married daughters and six grandchildren.
