McCool ES/MS: Administrator Bios

Dr. Willette Horne-Barnes, also referred to as Dr. H-B, is the new McCool Elementary Middle School (MEMS) Principal. Her career spans 38 years as a DoDEA employee and 43 years in education. She joined the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) in August 1984 where she was assigned to Bremerhaven Elementary School as a Compensatory Education Specialist.

Dr. Horne-Barnes relocated to The Sullivans School in Yokosuka, Japan in 1989 and served in several different capacities over a 10-year period: Compensatory Education Specialist, Second Grade Teacher, Reading Improvement Specialist, and Literacy Support Specialist. In 1999, she was one of approximately 30 educators who comprised the first faculty that officially opened Ikego Elementary School as a Literacy Support Specialist, and in 2005, she was promoted to Assistant Principal of Yokosuka Middle School. She also served as The Sullivans’ School Assistant Principal and served in the same capacity at Kinnick High School for approximately two months. Dr. Horne-Barnes was promoted to Principal of Andersen Elementary School, Guam, in 2010 and served there until June 2021, after which she officially joined the MEMS Family, as Principal, in August.

Dr. Horne-Barnes received her BS Degree, in Early Childhood Education, in 1979 and MEd Degree, in Reading, from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980. She successfully defended her Dissertation with Northcentral University and received her EdD Degree in Educational Leadership in March 2019

Dr. Horne-Barnes is married and has 27-year-old twin daughters. She is passionately committed to educating children and is extremely excited about joining the MEMS Family.

Mr. Wingert is excited and proud to serve the Naval Base Guam community. Born into a military family, he moved across the continental United States and parts of Europe before eventually landing in Northern Utah. Mr. Wingert has over 10 years of federal service, dating back to his time in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served as a Cryptologic Language Analyst (linguist). His DoDEA journey began in 2001, as a student at Feltwell Middle School. Following four years teaching domestically and abroad, Mr. Wingert returned to DoDEA, professionally, as school counselor in 2021.  In 2022, he was promoted to Assistant Principal at McCool Elementary/Middle School.

Mr. Wingert is committed to excellence in academics and believes strongly that student emotional well-being is essential to their success. He values integrity, service before self, and is passionate about continuous improvement and innovation in schools.

“Growing up in a military family, being a DoDEA student myself, and serving in the USAF has taught me the importance of resilience, dedication, and hard work. I am so proud to serve our military-connected families here in Guam and the Pacific. I’m honored to serve you and look forward to a great school year!"

Virginia Espree is a US Army Veteran who earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Columbia College in Missouri. She received a Master of Education in Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University. Ms. Espree believes learning is life-long learning process essential for education and growth mindset.

Ms. Espree began her career in education in the fall of 1999 in Richmond, VA. After serving Richmond City Public Schools as a special education teacher, she moved in 2001 to Atlanta, GA, where she taught as a special education teacher and Department Chair for high school in Fulton County and DeKalb County respectively. Afterwards, she joined DODEA in 2006 and relocated to Yokosuka, Japan where she worked as an assessor and special education. Over the years in DODEA she worked as a special education teacher at NES Naples, RIS Ramstein, Germany, an assessor at Antilles Complex, in Puerto Rico, special education teacher Irwin IS, Ft. Bragg, NC, special education teacher at SMHS Sigonella, Italy, and SpMS Spangdahlem, Germany until she was promoted to assistant principal at the McCool Elementary/Middle School. Ms. Espree has worked in the DoDEA Pacific, Europe, and Americas regions and has felt privileged to promote its vision, purpose, and goals. As an administrator, she is committed to building relationships and developing partnerships with all stakeholders, ensuring all students receive excellent instruction.

As a US Army Veteran, Ms. Espree has firsthand experience with military life. A mother of three children who attended DODEA Schools, and five grandchildren, she has a strong commitment to our military-connected students. Ms. Espree is excited to serve McCool Elementary/Middle School Community and is looking forward to cultivating strong relationships with the students, families and educational staff.