Ms. Kira Hurst selected as Principal for Kinnick High School

Dr. Judy Allen, DoDEA Pacific East District Superintendent, is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Kira Hurst as Principal for Kinnick High School.

Ms. Hurst was born in Southern California but raised in a variety of countries as her parents pursued their careers with the Department of Defense Education Activity, formerly known as Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Ms. Hurst returned to the U.S. to attend the University of California, Irvine and earned a bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Spanish. She later earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She began her teaching career in 1990 outside of Bakersfield, California. In 1991, she joined DoDEA as a teacher in Seoul, Korea. Ms. Hurst taught Social Studies and Spanish for many years at both the middle and high school levels. She was also extensively involved in extra-curricular activities both in coaching and student government in Korea, Guam and the United Kingdom.

Ms. Hurst returned to California in 2002 and moved into administration in 2006, serving as an Assistant Principal in Activities, Supervision, Guidance and Special Education in the Huntington Beach Union High School District for eight years. In 2013, Ms. Hurst accepted a position as Principal at TeWinkle Middle School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. While Principal, she worked with staff to implement a series of academic and behavior interventions that earned the school a Gold Ribbon Award, and Title I Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, the first recognition from the State of California in almost 30 years.

In 2017, Ms. Hurst accepted the position of Principal of the Sullivans Elementary School. Moving into an elementary school was a new experience for her and she enjoyed learning all about primary education as well as implementing the new College and Career Ready Standards over the last four years. She feels blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a kind and professional staff.

Ms. Hurst is excited about returning to the secondary setting and joining the Kinnick High School staff. She has a strong background in collaboration with staff, students, and communities. She practices an open-door policy and her goal is to support teachers doing what they do best – teach.

About DoDEA

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the United States that serve children of military families.