Heidi Kretz

Heidi Scott Kretz, a Language Arts 12 and AP English Literature and Composition teacher at Ramstein High School in Germany, has been named the 2026 Europe Central District Teacher of the Year by the DoDEA Europe Central District. Since joining DoDEA in 2003, Kretz has focused on student engagement and building a collaborative classroom community where all learners feel seen and supported.

Kretz holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin–Stout.  In 2017, she founded the Ramstein High School Writing Center, which has trained more than 250 peer tutors to support student writers through collaborative conferences. 

Beyond the classroom, Kretz plays a key role in school leadership and staff development. She has served on the Standards-Based Grading Focus Group, the AP for All Team, and held various leadership roles including AVID coordinator, English department chair, and professional learning team leader. Before joining Ramstein High School, she taught at Baumholder Middle High School.