Headquarters Leadership
Dr. Joseph Tafoya, DoDEA Director Dr. Shirley Miles, Associate Director for Education Mr. Kevin Kelly, Associate Director for Finance and Business OperationsArea Leadership
Diana J. Ohman, Director, DoDDS-Europe Nancy C. Bresell, Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam Elaine Beraza, Director, DDESS/DoDDS Cuba
The DoDEA Leadership:
Dr. Joseph Tafoya
DoDEA Director
Dr. Joseph Tafoya began his educational career in 1969 in San Diego. During his 21 years with San Diego City Schools, he served as a teacher, resource teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He served at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. His last assignment in San Diego was serving as principal of Kearny High School.
In 1990, Dr. Tafoya assumed the position of Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Schools, in Santa Ana Unified School District in Santa Ana, California. He was responsible for administering and supervising all curricular and operational programs in the middle and high schools within the District. In addition, Dr. Tafoya worked closely with the business community to establish school-to-work programs and to involve business in school partnerships and in fund-raising for college scholarships. Under his leadership, all secondary schools began a process of developing short-and long-term goals for school improvement and three schools were designated as California Distinguished Schools.
In 1994, Dr. Tafoya was promoted to the position of Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum in the same district. In this new role, Dr. Tafoya worked with all 50 principals in the school district on the development, implementation, and assessment of curricular programs, prekindergarten to adult.
Dr. Tafoya has worked extensively with schools on the analysis of test scores as they relate to curricular improvement. In addition, he has guided teachers and administrators on analyzing reading needs and developing site and district strategies to improve the reading level of students. Dr. Tafoya left Santa Ana in September 1999.
In September of 2000, Dr. Tafoya began his tenure as Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity.
In 2001 Dr. Tafoya was honored with the Exceptional Civilian Service Award. This award is the highest given by the Secretary of Defense to career employees and is presented annually to a small number of Department of Defense Employees whose careers reflect exceptional devotion to duty.
In March of 2004, Dr. Tafoya was honored with the 2003 Presidential Rank Award. The award is one of the most prestigious recognitions that can be bestowed upon a member of the governments Senior Executive Service and is presented only to those who demonstrate a relentless commitment to excellence in public service.
Dr. Tafoya is recognized for a number of significant achievements including the extraordinary partnership he has forged with all military commands in support of the Department of Defense schools and his ability to turn a vision of enhanced educational opportunities for all students into actions and programs.
In addition to these job-related activities, Dr. Tafoya has also been an active participant in professional activities. He has served on many state and national committees and has been a presenter as well as a keynote speaker at numerous state and national conferences.
Dr. Tafoya has a strong passion and commitment to students and their academic success. His work with community groups, use of parental advisory groups, and positive working relationships with all employee groups, enabled him to have a broad perspective of the needs of students as he made decisions that impacted the classroom. He values input from all stakeholders.
Dr. Tafoya earned his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from San Diego State University . He received his doctorate from Northern Arizona University in 1983. In January 2001 he received an Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
