Dexter ES: Administrator Bios

Dr. Lisa B. Coleman, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Georgia/Alabama Community Superintendent, is pleased to announce the selection of Kimberly S. Dunn as Principal of Dexter Elementary School in the Southeast District at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ms. Dunn comes to the Southeast District from the Europe South District, where she served as an Assistant Principal with a Special Education Focus for Naples Elementary School for the last four years. While at Naples Elementary School, Ms. Dunn improved student achievement and teacher performance by providing professional learning to support teachers’ implementation of research-based best-practices, restructured student support programs to enhance functionality, and initiated school-wide intervention programs. Additionally, Ms. Dunn has been acknowledged for embracing the team approach to education. She actively works to establish rapport with stakeholders to bridge gaps between families, teachers, and the community. 

Before heading to Naples, Italy, Ms. Dunn served military-connected students at Fort Bragg Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina as a Gifted Education Teacher, and an Instructional Support Specialist. She focused on providing intervention services for students in mathematics and reading as well as providing professional development for teachers. Prior to working in DoDEA, Ms. Dunn was the 21st Century Grant Site Coordinator and Summer School Coordinator with Tolleson Elementary School District in Tolleson, Arizona. While fulfilling these roles, Mrs. Dunn was afforded the opportunity to showcase her 21st Century Learning Program to Arizona’s Assistant State Superintendent, legislators, and school-level administrators. In addition, Ms. Dunn has been a Math/Science Coordinator, K-2 District Mathematics Contact, developed and implemented a school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program, and taught students in 1st-7th grades. 

Ms. Dunn is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, who began her continual pursuit of lifelong learning as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow at North Carolina Central University. Ms. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics and a Master of Education in Educational Administration. Ms. Dunn has completed over 70 hours of doctoral coursework in Organizational Leadership with a concentration on Effective Schools and is now in the process of completing her dissertation.

Ms. Dunn is the proud spouse of a retired Sergeant First Class and the parent of five sons whose ages range from 16 to 25. In her spare time, Ms. Dunn enjoys traveling, attends sporting events, and engages in community activities. Ms. Dunn looks forward to establishing strong relationships in the Fort Benning Community and is excited to join the Dexter ES family. 

The GA/AL Community Superintendent, Dr. Lisa B. Coleman, is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Maureen Barefield as Assistant Principal, Dexter Elementary School, in the Southeast District at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ms. Barefield is a veteran of the United States Army and brings many years of experience in education to the Southeast District, to include leadership at the school level. Ms. Barefield believes that as a collective whole, we can “grow and glow” together by communicating, developing positive relationships, and bringing the best out of one another; therefore, making every day an opportunity for growth. 

Ms. Barefield is arriving from the Mid-Atlantic District where she served as a special education teacher at Crossroads Elementary School. As a special education teacher, she believes in and promotes the use of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) as a framework for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based practices. She actively worked with multiple grade levels through focused collaboration cycles to ensure students benefit from nurturing environments and equitable access to instruction and supports that are differentiated to meet their unique needs. During her time in the Mid-Atlantic District, Ms. Barefield assumed the role of Social Media Liaison. She single-handedly transformed the official DoDEA Crossroads Facebook page by communicating the diversity, equity, and inclusion within CES and Marine Corps Base Quantico and making it an example of DoDEA’s commitment to outreach excellence. 

Prior to the Mid-Atlantic District, Ms. Barefield was a part of Europe West District and Southeast District. Ms. Barefield started her journey in DoDEA at Andre Lucas Elementary School in the Southeast District as a general education teacher. While in the Southeast, she served in various leadership roles from Continuous School Improvement Chair, Math Teacher Leader, Health Curriculum Coordinator, Grade Level Chair, Mentor Teacher, and Academic Coach. Ms. Barefield was an integral part of the success of two accreditation cycles while serving as CSI Chair in the Southeast District. 

During her tenure with Europe West District, Ms. Barefield was a special education teacher and math support specialist at the elementary school level. During this time, Ms. Barefield continued in leadership as the Instructional Leadership Team Chair and an acting administrator. As the Instructional Leadership Chair, she was instrumental in the success of an accreditation cycle. 

Ms. Barefield believes in being a lifelong learner and has earned multiple degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels in Elementary Education, Special Education Learning and Behavioral Disorders, Administration and Supervision, Educational Leadership with a concentration in Teacher Leadership with Measurement, Evaluation, and Research. 

Ms. Barefield is honored to be part of the Southeast District and to join Dexter Elementary School as an Assistant Principal.