Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 has announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Fenton as the new Director of Teaching and Learning, effective July 1, 2025. The announcement was made through a press release on March 18, 2025.

According to the press release, Vail Kieser, the current Director of Teaching and Learning for District 67, will be leaving at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Dr. Fenton, who is presently serving as principal of Carleton Washburne School in Winnetka Public Schools District 36, was chosen from a pool of 80 applicants to succeed Kieser. Fenton brings extensive experience in curriculum development and instructional leadership, with a focus on collaborating with educators to implement innovative curricula across K-8 grade levels and various content areas.

Fenton's previous roles include principal at Oak Grove School in District #68, assistant principal at Twin Groves Middle School in District #96, and assistant principal at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in District #116. He began his career as a language arts teacher in West Northfield School District #31 and Chicago International Charter Schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lake Forest College, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University.

"I am thrilled and honored to join District 67 as the Director of Teaching and Learning," said Fenton. "I look forward to partnering with staff to provide a world-class education for our students, focused on growth and the Portrait of a Learner attributes. I can’t wait to get started and bring my passion for lifelong learning to the students, families, and staff of Lake Forest District 67."

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves approximately 1,600 students in grades Pre-K through 8. The district includes three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), and Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—as well as Deer Path Middle School (5-8). Known for its innovative instructional practices, District 67 emphasizes inclusive education and personalized learning experiences that support academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development. The district’s mission is to inspire and empower students to maximize growth and cultivate respect for others in a dynamic, safe learning environment.