Tom Brady - DoDEA Director (2014 to present)
In Their Words
In Their Words... is a series of quotations from teachers, administrators, military leaders and our partners that speak to the circumstances, determination, and spirit that have better enabled our warriors and DoD civilians, past and present, to make lasting contributions to our nation's defense, and indeed the defense of freedom around the world.
The world has changed dramatically since our school system began in 1946-1947.
In School Year 2021 - 2022, we celebrate 75 years of educational support to military-connected families - empowered by the resourcefulness, dedication, and focused optimism of the men and women who established and operated schools in the aftermath of World War II.
Discovering the past, understanding the present, and creating a better future...
In Their Words
"Uniformly, you raised your hands quietly and said, 'We will stand and deliver.' This is nothing normal and you all have gone so far in making it normal for our kids."
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Era 1
1946-1975
The Early Years Gallery
A Remarkable Achievement
The Dependents School Program of the U.S. Army, Europe, 1946-1956 for the U.S. Army Europe Historical Division (1958), Page 114
Creating a School Culture Representative of an Entire Nation
The Dependents School Program of the U.S. Army, Europe, 1946-1956 for the U.S. Army Europe Historical Division (1958, Page 113)
Education of the Children of War Department Personnel
General Dwight David Eisenhower - Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Europe, From unpublished Memorandum No. 15-5-2 signed March 25, 1947
Establishing an American School System in the Ruins of Postwar Germany
Major Mary B. Bell - Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), 1946, Peabody College (Nashville, TN)
Our Responsibility to the Teacher
Dr. Edwin Killin - DoDDS Pacific Director (Feb 1972 - Feb 1986)
Era 2
1976-1994
The Consolidation Years Gallery
A Continuing Commitment to Military Families
Dr. Jerald E. Bloom - Former Director, DoDDS Mediterranean (1985)
A Job Well Done
Dr. Joseph A. (Doc) Mason - Director, U.S. Dependent Schools, European Area
A Sense of Community
Dr. John Ed Lee - Chief School Administrator, Munich Administrative
Appreciating Diversity
Dr. Donald P. Devona - Chief, School Administrator, Stuttgart
Critical Role of DoD Schools
General Colin Powell - Chat Room Interview (June 13, 2021)
Drawdown and Restructuring
Vernon M. H. Chang Associate Director, Management Services for the Department of Defense Education Activity
It all begins with students
Dr. Joseph L. Larkin - Former Director, DoDDS Atlantic and Dep. Director, DoDDs-Pacific
Just another military child, going to school like everyone else.
Melvin Gilmer - First Grader, Okinawa University Dependents School (1949)
Looking Ahead
Dr. Allen Dale Olson - Educator and Historian
Military Families Strengthen the Fabric of Each Community
President Barack Obama (2012)
Nobody Believed This Would Last
Doug Spaulding - Educator and Principal for 30 years
One Simple Priority for DoDEA - A Constant Focus on the Student
Yvonne L. "Pedie" Bolling - 38 year DoDEA Teacher/ Staff Developer/ Minority Studies/Social Studies Curriculum
Our Promise and Commitment
Dr. Anthony Cardinale - First DoDDs Director, Summary of Program Report
Readiness and the Defense of Freedom
Tom Brady - DoDEA Director (2014 to present)
Story of the Dependents School
Dr. Allen Dale Olson - Former Educator and Historian, Author of "From DSS to DoDDS"
Student Performance, Maximizing Stability, & Improving Our Programs
Dr. John L. Stremple - DoDEA Director (1987-1994)
Teacher Quality
Dr. Joseph H. Blackstead - Educator and Director, DoDDS Germany (1979-1994)
The DoD Schools Experience
Dr. Richard Knapp Educator and Counselor, Heidelberg High School
The Magnitude of the Mission
Dr. Beth Stephens - Former DoDDS Director (1982 to 1986)
The Quest for Racial Justice and Equality Continues
Dr. Arlyn G. Sweeney - Deputy Director, DoDDS Germany Region
They were more than teachers...
Dr. Earl R. Sifert - Director, Dependent Education Group in a letter from the U.S. Army Europe to the North Central Accreditation Association
Today American Servicemen and Their Families Can Be Grateful
Edward L. Treick, 1957
Transitions & Consolidations
A message in March 1976 from Department of the Army Headquarters to the USAREUR Commander-in-Chief
Young Authors Program Inspired Young Authors (PDF)
Candace M. Ransing
Superintendent,
Kaiserslautern District (1990)
Era 3
1995-2022
The Modernization Years Gallery
A Quality Education is a Top DoD Priority
Marilee Fitzgerald
A Tribute to the DoD School System
General Colin Powell
Access to the BEST Education
General Raymond T. Odierno
Caring, Concerned, and Dedicated Teachers
Mr. Adrian B. Talley
Committed to the Children and Military Families We Serve
Nancy C. Bresell
Common theme that has united our efforts for the last 75 years
Dr. Gayle Vaughn-Wiles
Department of Defense Schools: Their Secret Weapons for Success
Ellen R. Delisio
Deployment Tempo and Impact of American Military Children
Report on the Impact of Deployment of Members of the Armed Forces on Their Dependent Children
DoDEA Students and Foreign Relations
Robert Kimmitt - US Ambassador to Germany (1991-1993), 2015 DoDEA Interview
Enriching the Lives of Students and the Communities In Which They Live
Marilee Fitzgerald
Finding Strength, Courage, Elasticity and Wisdom
Rachel Guilfoyle
First Lady Recognized that Military Students Serve, too!
First Lady Laura Bush
High Impact Educational Leadership
Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Ed.D.
Life Changing Impact of the DoDEA Experience
Dr. Linda L. Curtis
Military-Connected Students Experience
Dr. Jill Biden - First Lady of the United States of America, Ramstein High School Graduation Address, June 2021
Our Most Important Contribution
Joseph Tafoya
Our Role in Building a Global World
Tom Brady
Servicemembers do not have to sacrifice their children's education
Robert L. Gordon III
Strategic Planning - By Intent. By Design.
Dr. Lillian Gonzalez
The Importance of Developing Strong School-Home Partnerships
Dr. John Davis
The success of our DoDEA graduates speaks for itself
General Christopher G. Cavoli
What Leadership Means in School Administration
Dr. Joe Tafoya