Saying Goodbye to Local School District

Andrea Fox, who served in a number capacities for the South Pasadena Unified School District over the past 10 years, has made a move to the San Marino Unified School District, where she will serve as public information officer.

PHOTO: Andrea Fox | San Marino Weekly | Andrea Fox, who served in a number capacities for the South Pasadena Unified School District over the past 10 years, has made the move to the nearby San Marino Unified School District Public Information Officer. Fox, far left, is joined by a group of SPHS interns.
PHOTO: Andrea Fox | San Marino Weekly | Andrea Fox, who served in a number capacities for the South Pasadena Unified School District over the past 10 years, has made the move to the nearby San Marino Unified School District Public Information Officer. Fox, far left, is joined by a group of SPHS interns.

After a decade of service in the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD), Andrea Fox, who held a variety of titles over the years, is turning the page on one chapter of her career and beginning another.

Her last day working in South Pasadena was August 1, and Monday she took her talents three miles to the east to begin her new role as public information officer for the San Marino Unified School District.

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“This is a cabinet-level position that involves helping guide communications for the district,” explained Fox. “My experience working in a high performing school district like SPUSD has been a terrific foundation for my new position in San Marino.”

She’s quick to share that she’ll miss her time working in South Pasadena, where her job felt as comfortable and familiar as a well-worn shoe. Now she’s moving on ready for what’s on the horizon.

“Even with the increased responsibilities, it was a difficult decision, but I believe that new challenges help us learn,” Fox said as she makes the switch to the neighboring school district. “I have very much appreciated my time working at SPUSD, and I hope that at SMUSD I will continue to create clear, transparent communications between the school district and community.”

Her time in the city began back in October 2015, when she became a substitute teacher for the district, yet her first role was short lived. Fox worked as a substitute only twice before former Superintendent Geoff Yantz said he had another job in mind for her, asking if she would be interested in becoming SPUSD’s first career internship specialist, just a few weeks after coming on board. She applied, accepted the job, and quickly found herself in a new role.

Not long after, Fox became a certificated career technical education teacher, and for five years she managed the South Pasadena High School Internship Program.

“We placed hundreds of students in internships and worked with more than 50 local businesses,” she recalls. “During this time, I also assisted with SPUSD communications. In 2020, I became SPUSD’s communication and grant advancement specialist providing communication guidance to administrators and cabinet members. This role also included researching, writing, and reporting on district grants, mainly for CTE programs and the arts.”

Before arriving at SPUSD, Fox worked for nearly two decades in corporate communications and public relations, beginning her career in Chicago. When her family moved to Southern California in 2012, she served as the senior manager of public relations for the Rose Parade.

Over the years, with a solid background in media relations, Fox became an integral part in communicating the SPUSD’s message, ensuring that the community was well informed through her steady stream of news releases – appropriately called “SPUSD Snapshots” – sent to local media and parents.

PHOTO: Alisa Diez | San Marino Weekly | Andrea Fox, who served in a number capacities for the South Pasadena Unified School District over the past 10 years, has made the move to the nearby San Marino Unified School District Public Information Officer. Fox, far left, is joined by a group of SPHS interns.
PHOTO: Alisa Diez | San Marino Weekly | Andrea Fox, who served in a number capacities for the South Pasadena Unified School District over the past 10 years, has made the move to the nearby San Marino Unified School District Public Information Officer. Fox, far left, is joined by a group of SPHS interns.

“During my time at SPUSD, I most enjoyed getting to know and working with students and colleagues. SPHS students are engaged, interesting, energetic, and smart,” said Fox. “I still have several mementos from students who worked with me as part of the internship program, including a piece of art created by a student who worked in a local art internship. I love it when students come back and check in. It is fascinating to hear about their journeys.

“And my colleagues were and continue to be top notch,” she continued. “Working in a small district, everyone pitches in to help and respects one another,” she continued. “I always felt supported and encouraged even during our toughest days. I worked with everyone – from counselors to teachers to directors to administrators to support staff – and am thankful for the camaraderie.”

Most of her tenure in South Pasadena, Fox worked closely with Yantz, who worked in the El Segundo Unified for 17 years before he took over as SPUSD superintendent in 2013, noting she has the greatest respect for him. Yantz retired from the local school district in June.

“He is a forward thinker,” praised Fox. “We worked very well together for my entire time at SPUSD. We respected one another and always found a way to come to a consensus on issues. I learned a lot from him and appreciate everything he has done for SPUSD.”

She insists the South Pasadena Unified School District is “in great hands with new Superintendent Angela Baxter (formerly of Culver City Unified School District). I very much enjoyed getting to know her during our short time working together. She is easy going, yet extremely insightful with terrific ideas about how to strategically guide SPUSD.”

Proudly, Fox and her husband, Brandon, like to tell others that all three of their children are South Pasadena High graduates – Lucas 2017, Ashley 2020, and Lauren 2022.

“We moved here when Ashley and Lauren were entering fifth and third grades respectively at Arroyo Vista Elementary,” Fox said looking back, fortunate her children attended SPUSD schools. “Lucas was entering 8th grade at SPMS. When we moved to Southern California from Chicago, we hoped to find something that felt like home. Thanks to South Pasadena neighbors, friends, teachers, and colleagues, we have always felt welcome here.”

As she makes her exit, of course, there will be those who might give her some gentle ribbing for jumping ship and, in a way, joining the other team as San Marino and South Pasadena have been longstanding archrivals in high school sports.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” Fox said with a smile.  “We’re all a little sad after a decade of working together, but excited about what the future holds. There has only been a little teasing about the San Marino/South Pasadena rivalry!”

She departs with much gratitude and appreciation for the friendships and professional relationships she built, noting the day-to-day connections with South Pasadena educators and families will be sorely missed.

“I will forever be tied to South Pasadena because of this community of educators who welcomed my family from Chicago and encouraged us to grow and thrive,” said Fox. “I frequently tell people who don’t live here that SPUSD graduates will be the ones who change the world if that is the path they choose. As proud parents of three SPUSD graduates, my husband Brandon and I witness this every day.”

As she makes her exit, what Fox appreciates most about the South Pasadena Unified School District is “that there is a path for everyone – all students can find a place to grow and learn here.”

And in her next breath, she added: “Thank you for a terrific 10 years!”