Teacher of the Year Program
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding educators with more than three years of teaching experience at a DoDEA school who exemplify the qualities of professionalism and excellence in our teaching workforce.
The DoDEA TOY Program is modeled after the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This program provides an avenue for all STOYs to be nationally recognized and compete for the NTOY. The NTOY and all STOYs are presented at the White House. The DoDEA TOY travels to all NTOY activities and takes a semester-long sabbatical to design and implement a project of choice.
Any stakeholder may nominate a DoDEA teacher for this award. Nominees are highly encouraged to participate in the application process.
The purpose of the DoDEA Teacher of the Year program is to recognize and promote excellence in teaching, leading, and Learning. The DoDEA Teacher of the Year program provides avenues for teachers to be honored, awarded, and nationally recognized for their outstanding efforts in providing the best education for our military-connected students.
Brent L. Cook, a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) instructor at Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, has been selected as the 2026 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year.
Cook teaches students in JROTC courses for grades 9–12 in the Pacific South district. His overarching goal is to develop students who excel academically while also becoming productive citizens and leaders within their school and community.
A retired Marine, Cook holds a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College and an Associate of Arts from the University of Maryland. His professional accomplishments include being named the 2024 MCJROTC Instructor of the Year and coaching the Kubasaki High School Drill Team to its second national championship in 2024.
Press Release: DoDEA Announces 2026 Teacher of the Year
|
Region |
District |
Teacher |
School |
Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | Mid-Atlantic | Ms. Cecile Velez | Antilles HS | AVID |
| Southeast | Ms. Sharita Morris | Murray ES | 1st Grade | |
| Europe | Central | Ms. Heidi Kretz | Ramstein HS | ELA 12 and AP Lit |
| East | Ms. Dana Panczenko | Vilseck HS | 10th Grade English | |
| South | Ms. Kelly Svenson | Vicenza MS | Special Education | |
| West | Ms. Melissa Joppich | Spangdahlem ES | Prekindergarten (PK) | |
| Pacific | East | Ms. Lauren Rosa | Zama MHS | AP Human Geography and Fine Arts |
| South | Mr. Brent Cook | Kubasaki HS | MCJROTC Instructor | |
| West | Ms. Tulin Harrison | Humphreys West ES | 4th Grade | |
|
- |
- |
Ms. Kathrin Interian | Virtual School (DVHS) | German |
