Dr. Grim is in his second year as the PAC West Chief of Staff. Prior to accepting this position, he served 20 years as a school principal. Dr. Grim grew up in Ohio and served five years in the United States Air Force before being honorably discharged. During his time in the military, he earned his Community College of the Air Force degree in 1988 and bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in 1989. He then received his teaching credential from Chapman University. He also earned a master's degree in educational administration from Azusa Pacific University in 1995 and currently holds an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Sioux Falls in 2004.
Dr. Grim has taught first, second, and fifth grades before becoming an administrator in 1997. His career has included working as an assistant principal, curriculum director, and principal in South Dakota. He was awarded the South Dakota “Rookie Principal of the Year.” Dr. Grim joined DoDEA in 2009, serving as a principal at Ft. Bragg and also in Okinawa. He was awarded the North Carolina P.T.A. “Principal of the Year” in 2016.
He has coached softball, baseball, and soccer in a previous community. He has been happily married for 29 years and has three adult children. One of his children is serving in the United States Air Force. Working for DoDEA and providing a quality education for the children of military affiliated families continues to be an honor and privilege for him as an educator.
Mr. Thomas M. Brady
HQ DoDEA Director
Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Ed.D
HQ Chief Academic Officer
Mr. Robert M. Brady
HQ Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Jay Burcham
HQ Chief of Staff