May 23, 2023
MUNDELEIN, Ill. – Fremont School District 79 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Trisha Kocanda has announced a pair of administrative hires for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Emily Loerakker is the new Principal of Fremont Middle School, while Tegan Dittmer is the Assistant Director of Student Services.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Emily and Tegan into these new roles at Fremont School District 79,” Kocanda said. “They both are highly-skilled, student-centered leaders committed to providing an exceptional academic and social emotional experience for all learners.”
Loerakker demonstrates strong instructional leadership with institutional knowledge of Fremont, having served as a math, science, and social studies teacher at Fremont Middle School from 2005 until her appointment as the school’s assistant principal four years ago. Prior to her time at Fremont, she was a biology teacher at Richfield (Minn.) High School. Beginning July 1, Loerakker will be replacing Krista Winkelman, who recently accepted the District-level position of Executive Director of Student Services.
Loerakker earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Evansville, as well as master’s degrees from Winona State University and Northeastern Illinois University. She is currently working toward her doctorate from National Louis University.
"I am incredibly excited to take on the new challenge of Principal at Fremont Middle School,” said Loerakker. “I would like to thank the District for entrusting me with leading our highly regarded middle school. My commitment to student and staff success is unwavering. Maintaining a positive learning culture that prioritizes students’ academic and social emotional growth remains our top goal."
Dittmer joins Fremont after having served as the Principal at Fairhaven School in Mundelein since 2020. She began her professional career as a special education teacher at Algonquin Lakes Elementary School, prior to working as an assistant principal and then interim principal at Laremont School, as well as a supervisor for Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL).
A graduate of Western Illinois University with a Learning Behavior Specialist endorsement, Dittmer also holds a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She is currently working toward her doctorate from Capella University.
“It is with great pride that I join the Fremont community,” Dittmer said. “I am looking forward to collaborating with staff, families, and administrators to provide the most productive, inclusive, and positive learning environment for all students.”
Fremont School District 79 is a preschool through eighth-grade public school district serving more than 2,100 students. It serves students from the communities of Grayslake, Hawthorn Woods, Libertyville, Long Grove, Mundelein, Round Lake, and Wauconda.
