Matthew Kirby Announced as Americas Regional Director for Student Achievement

The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Director Paul Craft has named Matthew Kirby as the DoWEA Americas Regional Director for Student Achievement. He will be responsible for 50 schools serving military-connected students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in two districts located in seven states, Cuba, and Puerto Rico across three time zones. DoWEA Americas serves more than 20,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees.

Kirby will emphasize excellence in student learning and character development, strengthen academic leadership and teaching, build partnerships with parents and military installation commanders, and improve communications, technology, and infrastructure in support of military families.

Kirby currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Classical Schools, an Atlanta-based network of public K-12 classical charter schools he founded in 2014. Liberty’s schools offer a content-rich, American classical curriculum and strive to form knowledgeable, virtuous citizens.

A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, Kirby earned a master’s degree in business from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. An entrepreneur for the last 25 years, he built successful real estate and franchised restaurant businesses, served as a high school football coach, and co-founded the nonprofit Sixty Feet to support vulnerable children in Uganda.

“Kirby’s background in military service, entrepreneurial leadership, and passion for classical learning and school choice position him well to lead the Americas region at this important time,” said DoWEA Director Paul Craft. “He sees the clear connection between excellent schools, strong military communities, and the readiness of our warfighting force.”

Kirby shared his enthusiasm for the role: “Our military families deserve the very best: an education that shapes the moral and intellectual character of students and prepares them for responsible citizenship. I honor the leaders and teachers who came before me, and I am highly motivated to serve our students, parents, teachers, and leaders, to support the Department of War, and ultimately to strengthen our nation.”

Kirby is expected to assume the role on July 7, 2026. DoWEA Americas thanks Dr. Christy Huddleston for her dedicated service as Acting Director for Student Excellence for the region.