Mr. Paul Craft

Mr. Paul Craft is the Director of the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), a position he assumed on March 9, 2026.

He began his career in education as a student teacher on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, near his hometown. He is currently in his 36th year of educational service. His career includes 15 years as a high school physics teacher followed by 21 years as a building- and district-level administrator. During that time, he served as superintendent for two Ohio school districts and as CEO of an Educational Technology Association that supported more than 140 Ohio school districts. Immediately prior to his current role, Craft served as Ohio’s 40th State Superintendent.

Alongside his career in education, Craft served for 31 years in the military across the reserves, the Army National Guard, and active duty. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1983 and was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1986. His final assignment was as commander of the 16th Engineer Brigade of the Ohio Army National Guard. Following the attacks of September 11, he was activated twice, serving in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004 and later in Washington, D.C., from 2009 to 2010. He retired with the rank of Colonel. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, and several additional state and federal honors.

Craft earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification from the University of Montana in 1988. He later completed a master’s degree in educational leadership from The Ohio State University in 1996 and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2011. His wife, Michelle, is a Spanish teacher, and together they have five children and two grandchildren.