Faith MS: Administrator Bios

Dr. Joan Verrett has been with DoDEA for 17 years. Her DoDEA career began as a multi-age teacher at C.T. Joy Elementary School in Jinhae, South Korea. Dr. Verrett spent almost a decade in the Korea District as an educator, assistant principal and principal before her promotion in 2008 to Assistant Superintendent in the Bavaria District.

Serving the Bavaria District, her focuses and priorities included continuous school improvement, best instructional practices, and students meeting and exceeding high standards of learning. In January 2013, Dr. Verrett joined the Mediterranean Team as the Assistant Superintendent. Her leadership impacted a district comprised of 18 schools across 5 countries, supporting military-connected students with parents serving in the Air Force, Army, Navy and international embassies. Dr. Verrett facilitated the process of schools using formative assessments to drive instruction and meet the individual needs of all students. She has always been a strong advocate of ensuring quality instruction for special needs students.

Following her tenure in the Mediterranean District, Dr. Verrett was promoted to Deputy Director for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment of DoDEA Europe's 67 schools and 28,000 students across eight countries. Her focus on the roll-out of College and Career Ready Standards and Europe-wide implementation of DoDEA's Restructuring for Student Achievement enabled successful curricular and organizational transitions to enhance learning opportunities and maximize resources at the school-level. Dr. Verrett' work as a liaison with senior U.S. military leaders in the European theater cemented a strong foundation for lasting partnerships to support military-connected students and their families.

In August of 2008, Dr. Verrett was presented the Commander's Award for Civilian Service from the Department of the Army for her effort in creating a Parent University and preparing and planning for the reconfiguration of Humphreys Elementary School to a K-8 Elementary/Middle School. In 2003, Dr. Verrett was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science. She won the DoDEA award in the area of elementary mathematics.

Dr. Verrett earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. She completed a Master's of Science Degree in Foundations of Education at Troy University, while in Seoul, Korea, and a Doctorates Degree in Educational Leadership at Argosy University, Orange County, California.

Dr. Verrett actively focuses on Continuous Improvement in all areas and levels of education. She firmly believes that all students can and will learn and is a strong advocate for advances in DoDEA special education programs.

"It is our charge as educators to uncover the unique strengths and talents that lie within each of our students and to patiently yet persistently guide all students towards reaching their full potential. In partnership with our parents and local community, we can create a strong support system to nurture our children as they realize their goals and dreams." 

Dr. Verrett is proud to be an educational leader in a system that has the privilege of serving the families that serve our Nation and is committed to the full implementation of College and Career Readiness Standards and 21st Century Teaching, Leading and Learning across DoDEA schools. 

Dr. Hollingsworth began her teaching career with Harnett County Schools in North Carolina in January of 2003, teaching fifth, fourth, and second grades at Highland Elementary School before becoming a technology facilitator at Anderson Creek Primary School. She joined DoDEA in November 2012 as an Educational Technologist at Bowley Elementary School on Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  She served in the same role at Shughart Elementary School on Fort Bragg in August 2014 before joining Camp Lejeune Schools in January 2015 as the Instructional Systems Specialist for Educational Technology.  Dr. Hollingsworth is joining Faith Middle School from the Pacific East District in Yokota, Japan where she served in two different capacities since September 2016.  She first served the Pacific East District as an Elementary Mathematics Instructional Systems Specialist.  Dr. Hollingsworth became acting Assistant Principal at Mendel Elementary School in March 2021 and remained in that role until July of that year.  She then transitioned into the role of Instructional Systems Specialist for Educational Technology when she returned to the District Superintendent’s Office in August.  She is passionate about technology integration, professional learning, and continuous school improvement.

Dr. Hollingsworth holds Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a Master of Arts in Education in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University.  She also earned an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Liberty University.

Dr. Hollingsworth is excited for this opportunity to continue to serve the DoDEA community at Fort Benning and looks forward to partnering with all stakeholders to carry out DoDEA’s mission. She is joined by her husband, their three children, and their tiny chihuahua.