Current Vista Middle School Principal Kim Hawes recently accepted the positions of principal of Windward High School and part-time director of early learning. This necessitated a search for her replacement.
This week the Ferndale School District announced the position would be filled by Heather Leighton. Leighton is currently principal of Lummi Nation School, a position she has held for the past eight years according to the FSD announcement.
For the past eight years, she has served as principal of Lummi Nation School. Prior to that, she taught in Mount Vernon School District and Lynden School District. In 2002, she did her student teaching at Eagleridge Elementary School. Ms. Leighton graduated from Ferndale High School and her children attended Ferndale schools.
Ms. Leighton holds two Masters of Education degrees: one in Educational Leadership and one in Reading and Literacy both from City University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a K-8 Teaching Certificate from Washington State University. She is the past recipient of a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She has been active in the Native American Leadership Academy at Gonzaga University, Professional Learning Community with DuFour and School Safety Panel Member with the Department of Justice.