DoDEA announces 2026 Region Principals of the Year

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is pleased to announce its 2026 Principals of the Year for the Americas, Europe and Pacific regions.  

Americas

Dr. Kewanis Kennedy 
Principal, Marshall Elementary School 
DoDEA Americas Southeast District 

Dr. Kewanis Kennedy has been selected to represent DoDEA Americas as its 2026 Principal of the Year. Kennedy has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering high academic achievement and strong community partnerships. 

Selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, Kennedy excelled in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, earning a score of 39 out of 40. This recognition highlights Kennedy's alignment with the DoDEA Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, particularly in advancing Student Excellence through data-driven initiatives that boosted student achievement by 24 percentage points toward a math SMART Goal and gains for third- through fifth-grade students. 

Nominators highlighted Kennedy's impact through a clear, shared vision that drives student success and measurable academic gains. They noted how he strengthens school-community relationships with family engagement and an open-door policy, fostering supportive learning environments aligned with School Excellence. Kennedy cultivates a supportive school climate by prioritizing implementation of multi-tiered systems of support through feedback mechanisms, restorative practices, and collaborative partnerships, tying into the Blueprint's goals for Student and School Excellence. In leadership, Kennedy embeds Blueprint priorities into curriculum, instruction, and assessment via high expectations, data analysis, and Professional Learning Communities, promoting Organizational Excellence. 

 "Dr. Kewanis Kennedy exemplifies the dedication and innovation that define DoDEA principals," said Dr. Judith Minor, DoDEA Americas Director for Student Excellence. "This award celebrates the collective success of our schools in preparing students for the future." 

Europe

Dr. Darnell Dean
Principal, Netzaberg Middle School  
DoDEA Europe East District 

Dr. Darnell Dean represents DoDEA Europe as its 2026 Principal of the Year. Dean has served as principal of Netzaberg Middle School in Germany, bringing more than 27 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and educational leadership at the elementary, middle, and high school levels throughout DoDEA Europe. 

“This award means so much to me because it represents more than personal achievement,” Dean said. “It reflects the collective effort of an incredible school community. It reminds me that leadership is, and will always be, about empowering others, building trust, and creating opportunities for students to thrive.” 

Dean believes the most crucial component of learning is student improvement. Students can learn and grow in a variety of ways and at varying paces, and through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, they can become educated young adults. She believes school excellence is created by encouraging, cultivating, and empowering teacher leaders, energizing educators to improve their professional practice, and fostering visibility, teamwork, and a culture of high expectations. 

“Dr. Darnell Dean exemplifies the very best educational leadership,” said Dr. Michelle Howard Brahaney, DoDEA Europe Director for Student Excellence. “Her unwavering commitment to student growth, her dedication to empowering teachers, and her ability to foster a school culture of excellence make her a remarkable leader. Under her leadership, our military-connected students at Netzaberg Middle School have thrived.” 

Originally from North Carolina, Dean’s career spans teaching 8th-grade social studies, high school English at Fayetteville Technical Community College, coaching sports, supervising special education programs, and leading numerous academic and extracurricular initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Arts in Middle School Education, Master of Arts in Education Administration from Fayetteville State University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

Pacific

Shenae M. Wiley 
Principal, Humphreys Central Elementary School 
DoDEA Pacific West District  

Ms. Shenae Wiley represents DoDEA Pacific as its 2026 Principal of the Year. Wiley has served as principal of Humphreys Central Elementary School for the past three years, bringing more than 30 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and educational leadership.  

“Throughout Ms. Wiley’s career in education, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to empowering educators and partnering with families to support student achievement,” said Ms. Lois Rapp, DoDEA Pacific Director for Student Excellence. “Under her leadership, our military-connected students at Humphreys Central Elementary have thrived.”  

Wiley learned she received the honor of 2026 Pacific Principal of the Year during the Pacific West District’s Nov. 21 Administrators’ Meeting. Surrounded by her colleagues, Wiley said she felt like time stood still. 

“My heart filled with a rush of emotions, and I felt that every step of my journey in education had been worth it,” Wiley recalled. “I immediately thought of my assistant principals, teachers, students, and parents who have supported and encouraged me throughout the years. This honor isn’t just about me; it reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of an entire school community. 

“This award means so much to me because it represents more than a personal achievement,” she continued. “It reflects the collective effort of an incredible school community. It reminds me that leadership is, and will always be, about empowering others, building trust, and creating opportunities for students to thrive.” 

As a former DoDEA student, Wiley understands the unique opportunities and challenges faced by military-connected students. She is passionate about building a collaborative school community where educators, families, and stakeholders work together to educate, engage, and empower every learner. 

“I knew since before I started school that I wanted to be a teacher, but my experiences in DoDEA schools truly shaped who I am today,” Wiley said, sharing that she dreamed of one day teaching for the system that educated her. “Becoming a principal in DoDEA was the icing on the cake for me. If I could, I would reach out to those former teachers to let them know that I have achieved this honor. I will never forget the lasting impression they made on my life.” 

Originally from Alamogordo, New Mexico, Wiley’s career spans a wide range of roles and grade levels, from teaching third through eighth grade to leading schools serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She began her teaching career in Easley, South Carolina, and later taught in Atlanta, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla., where she also worked as a reading coach and Early Intervention Specialist at a Title I school. 

Wiley joined the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in 2011 as a teacher at Camp Humphreys American School in South Korea. In 2012, she transitioned into administration as assistant principal at Lajes E/H Unit School in the Azores, Portugal, supporting the school’s transition from a K–12 to a K–8 model. She later served as assistant principal at Vogelweh Elementary School in Germany, where she helped implement a school-wide collaboration model and prepared for district-wide accreditation. In 2014, she accepted the role of assistant principal at Bahrain School, continuing her commitment to fostering strong foundations for lifelong learning. 

In 2018, Wiley accepted her first principalship at Daegu Elementary School in South Korea. During her tenure, she transformed the school culture by creating an instructional leadership team, strengthening relationships with parents and the community, and ensuring students felt supported and valued. In 2023, she returned to Camp Humphreys to lead Humphreys Central Elementary School, where she remains focused on student achievement and creating a school environment where children are excited to learn every day. 

Wiley holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Anderson College (1995) and two Master of Arts degrees from the University of Phoenix: Curriculum and Instruction (2007) and Administration and Supervision (2008). Her dedication to excellence has earned her recognition as the 2021 United States Forces Korea Principal of the Year and a 2023 Pacific Region Principal of the Year finalist. 

The DoDEA Principal of the Year Program recognizes one outstanding school principal in each region. These individuals have succeeded in leading high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. The process begins at the local level, where principals are nominated by peers, employees, parents, students or community members. 

One of the Regional awardees will be selected as the DoDEA Principal of the Year, and proceed through a national association nomination process, representing DoDEA at the national level. During the year, the chosen Principal of the Year will serve as an ambassador to their profession, be provided leadership growth opportunities, and support DoDEA priorities and initiatives.