Willie Foster is taking on a new role as Spencer County’s superintendent. He started as a special education teacher, a job he was in for nine years, before serving in Oldham County as assistant superintendent and in Bullitt County as director of college and career readiness and innovative programs. Most recently, he was principal at Louisville Male Traditional High School (Jefferson County). Photo submitted
After 24 years in education, Willie Foster is taking on a new role as Spencer County’s superintendent. He’s also making the transition from a large school district to a smaller one, a change he said he embraces.
“It’s refreshing to be in a school district with one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools,” he said. “It is great to be in a district where everyone in the boat is rowing in the same direction and working for the same cause.”
Before taking the helm in Spencer County on July 1, Foster held roles in multiple school districts. He started as a special education teacher, a job he was in for nine years, before serving in Oldham County as assistant superintendent and in Bullitt County as director of college and career readiness and innovative programs. Most recently, he was principal at Louisville Male Traditional High School (Jefferson County).
The transition comes with a learning curve, but he said he looks forward to it
“I hope to put myself in a position to make intentional decisions for the betterment of the students, staff and community based on the district’s needs,” said Foster. “As a first-year superintendent it is important for me to ask questions and lead with a learning mindset.”
Spencer County is facing rapid growth in the student population, though Foster sees this as a positive
“We are digging in to figure out how to welcome and accommodate the new families in our community,” he said.
He received a bachelor’s degree in science in health and physical education from the University of Louisville (UofL). While at UofL, he also completed a master’s of education in special education and obtained certification in school administration.
Foster later earned his Kentucky superintendent certification in 2015, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in 2018.
He has been married to his wife Tracey for 26 years. Together, they have a son who is entering his junior year of high school, and a daughter, Kayleigh, who is beginning her second year of teaching at Adair County High School.
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