Ms. Joi Gause selected principal of Amelia Earhart Intermediate School

DoDEA Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Joi Gause as principal of Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, located at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

Ms. Gause began her career in education in 2001 as a prekindergarten teacher in Paterson, New Jersey, where she worked until 2005. She went on to serve as a middle and high school science teacher and later an assistant principal in Newport News, Virginia. Ms. Gause served as the Assistant Principal at Mahaffey Middle School, where she led the revitalization of the PBIS and SEL curriculum. She has served as an assistant principal at Kadena High School since 2023.

Ms. Gause believes wholeheartedly in servant leadership as portrayed through her ability to foster and maintain effective relationships with all stakeholders.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, as a part of a military family, she spent her elementary school years at Erlangen Elementary School in Germany and completed middle school through college in Virginia. Ms. Gause earned each of her degrees from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Educational Specialist degree in PK-12 Administration and Supervision.  Old Dominion University recognized her with the Most Outstanding Educational Specialist Student award. Ms. Gause plans to pursue her doctorate in the future.

Ms. Gause has authored two books and her hobbies include watching shark movies, exercising, and eating brownies and ice cream with her three sons – her favorite people. Ms. Gause is proud that her two oldest sons are currently serving in the United States Air Force.  She believes family time is the best time and is excited to join the AEIS family.