Dr. Helen Bailey named principal at Killin Elementary School

Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes announced the selection of Dr. Helen Bailey as principal of E.C. Killin Elementary School at Camp Foster.

Dr. Bailey brings more than 30 years of experience in education across prekindergarten through grade 12, including 27 years with DoWEA. She has served in leadership roles at the school, district and regional levels.

Most recently, Dr. Bailey served as community superintendent for DoWEA schools in Korea in the Pacific West District, overseeing schools at U.S. Army Garrison Daegu, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and Osan Air Base. She previously served as community superintendent for the Pacific East District at Yokota Air Base, supporting schools across mainland Japan.

Dr. Bailey began her DoWEA career as a business and computer science teacher at Yokota High School. She later served as assistant principal at Yokota High School and Nile C. Kinnick High School, and as principal of Daegu American School and Andersen Elementary School. Her additional leadership roles include education operations manager in Guam, education division branch chief in Okinawa and chief of staff for the DoWEA Europe South District.

Before joining DoWEA, Dr. Bailey taught middle and high school in North Carolina and Kansas and served as a community college professor at Cloud County Community College. She holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and comprehensive business education from Fayetteville State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Kansas State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Capella University.

Dr. Bailey is a member of International Society for Technology in Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ISTE-ASCD), Learning Forward, Phi Delta Kappa International, and a Silver Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

She and her husband, Patrick, have two children who attended DoWEA schools, Patrick II and Britney, and grandparents to their granddaughter, Truth.

Since joining DoWEA in 1999, Dr. Bailey has focused on instructional quality, leadership development and positive outcomes for all students. She emphasizes curiosity, resilience and continuous growth to support student success and meet the unique needs of military-connected communities.

“I am truly honored to join the Killin Elementary community,” Dr. Bailey said. “I look forward to partnering with students, staff and families to create a caring, high-performing environment where every child is known, supported and inspired to learn and grow.”