Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific East District Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline Ferguson is pleased to announce Mr. Josh Adams as principal of Ikego Elementary School, located at Commander Fleet Activities – Yokosuka. Mr. Adams began his educational career in Idaho and then Oregon as a school administrator. During his tenure in Oregon, he served as a middle school assistant principal and elementary principal, as well as serving as the district human resources director.

Dr. Jacob Sherwood, Pacific West District Superintendent, is pleased to announce the selection of Jason Debus as Principal of McCool Elementary Middle School. Dr. Jason Debus serves as the Principal of McCool Elementary/Middle School in Guam. He brings more than 15 years of leadership experience with the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), having served as a principal, assistant principal, education research analyst, and Human Research Protections Officer.

The Department of War Education Activity released its 2026 Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, outlining the next phase of its multi-year roadmap to transform its operations, advance its mission, and support military-connected students worldwide. This strategic roadmap builds on prior efforts, while responding to evolving educational demands, workforce expectations, technological advancements, and the unique needs of military families.

The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Director Paul Craft has named Matthew Kirby as the DoWEA Americas Regional Director for Student Achievement. He will be responsible for 50 schools serving military-connected students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in two districts located in seven states, Cuba, and Puerto Rico across three time zones. DoWEA Americas serves more than 20,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees.

Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes announced the selection of Dr. Helen Bailey as principal of E.C. Killin Elementary School at Camp Foster. Dr. Bailey brings more than 30 years of experience in education across prekindergarten through grade 12, including 27 years with DoWEA. She has served in leadership roles at the school, district and regional levels.

With the close of the 2025-26 school year, the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan recognized the successful completion of the Japanese Language Supplement Program at four elementary schools.

The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific Region is proud to recognize its graduating Class of 2026. This year’s senior class achieved a 99% graduation rate, with 973 students graduating across 12 high schools in Guam, South Korea, mainland Japan and Okinawa. Among the graduates, 264 earned honors distinctions, while 741 students completed at least one Advanced Placement course.

Ms. Sasha Rodriguez-Espada, a kindergarten teacher at Lakenheath Elementary School, has been selected as the 2026 Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise. This award recognizes early-career educators in their first three years of teaching who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student success and a strong, ongoing commitment to growth and improvement.

The Department of War Education Activity has fewer than 100 openings remaining for teachers and fewer than 150 openings remaining for aides in classrooms across the U.S. and around the globe for next school year. These openings are targeted toward applicants with expertise in special education, elementary and various and multiple secondary school subjects or who are willing to work in locations to include Fort Bragg, Fort Knox, Camp Lejeune, Fort Rucker, Turkey, Cuba, Korea, Japan and Germany.

Student and educator teams at nine Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) schools have been selected as state champions in the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge. President Trump issued an Executive Order in April 2025 establishing a national challenge to expand artificial intelligence education for America’s youth and foster early interest, confidence, and expertise in this critical field.