Ms. Elise Rosch selected as Principal of Zukeran Elementary School

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Elise Rosch as principal of Zukeran Elementary School, effective 25 August 2024, located on Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan.

Dr. Hayes shared, “Ms. Rosch will contribute greatly to the district and continue the excellent work taking place at Zukeran. She comes to us from a school very similar to Zukeran where she was serving as an assistant principal in a 21st century school. She has experience in working with

parents and teachers on teaching practices necessary to make the 21st century facility a great learning environment for all students.”

Ms. Rosch has 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) with Pacific South and Europe South School Districts, Professional Development Specialist (PDS) with the Pacific Center for Instructional Leadership (CIL), and assistant principal at Bob Hope Elementary School and Wiesbaden Elementary School. She started her career teaching at Foothills School of Arts and Sciences in Boise, Idaho, applying inquiry-based learning programs for students in grades kindergarten through ninth. As a DoDEA teacher, Ms. Rosch has taught prekindergarten, kindergarten (German immersion), and third and fourth grades. Additionally, she has served as a member of the 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leading task group and was named a DoDEA District Teacher of the Year in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Ms. Rosch recently earned an Education Specialist degree from the University of Idaho in educational leadership and holds two master’s degrees in educational leadership and German, along with three bachelor’s degrees in psychology, elementary education, and German.

Ms. Rosch will be accompanied by her supportive husband, James, and their three beautiful children: Bowyn, Anneliese, and Saoirse. They look forward to returning to Okinawa, Japan as she is continually committed to student excellence, carrying out the DoDEA mission to “educate, engage, and empower military-connected students to succeed in a dynamic world” every day.