As we begin the 2nd semester I want to recognize all the teachers and administrators in DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS Guam for their commitment to ensuring the best educational experience for the children and families we serve. As I visit schools and meet with military commanders, I remain very proud of the work that takes place in our schools every day. The recognition our schools receive would not happen without the strong sense of “teamwork” that occurs throughout the Pacific.

The Education Division staff at my office continues to assist you by providing professional growth opportunities and reviewing educational programs to ensure we maintain our focus on highest student achievement. It is through this dedication and commitment that we impact the lives of the students we serve.

The following are highlights of some of the many educational initiatives and activities that will be occurring in the next few months. The success of these initiatives and activities relies on the collaborative partnership with our teachers, administrators, and staff.

DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam continues to stress math initiatives through training that provides additional tools and instructional strategies to our teachers and administrators.

Elementary Math Cadre Training: Last week (February 13-16), 20 classroom teachers from elementary schools across DoDDS Pacific were selected to serve as part of a Math Training Cadre. These individuals received specific training in math best practices and the new math standards. These newly trained teachers, along with district and area representatives, will deliver math training to their faculties this spring. The partnership efforts of these key individuals will ensure quality training at the school level and will build capacity within the communities we serve for continued support of mathematics.

Secondary Math Training: Middle and high school mathematics teachers will attend math curriculum training during the months of February and April in each district. Training in best practices will focus specifically on algebraic thinking, assessment for learning, and literature in mathematics. In addition, consultants representing the publishers of the adopted textbooks will introduce new materials. Participants will engage in activities that will strengthen their understanding and use of technology products in instruction. Teachers will collaborate and design sample lessons to take back to their classrooms and will focus on the student as the center of instruction. 

Secondary Science Implementation Training: All high school and middle school science teachers are participating in training sessions that focus on assessment for learning.  Teachers are discussing the attributes of assessment for learning and assessment of learning while expanding their knowledge and skills in creating formative assessments. In addition, they are deepening their understanding of how assessment for learning can improve student motivation and positively affect student achievement. Providing science teachers the opportunity to meet together encourages teamwork as educators learn from each other and work together to enhance teaching practices.

School Level Study Groups: Teachers in our schools continue to engage in school level study groups to provide follow up to the many area directed initiatives. Approximately 650 teachers are currently engaged in Scholastic Red On-line courses which focus on topics related to literacy. Curriculum Implementation Facilitators are offering study groups related to assessment for learning to support the earlier training provided at their schools. These efforts continue to build learning communities within our schools where teachers can collaborate with each other and reflect on their own teaching practices. As a result of learning together, teachers have the opportunity to develop partnerships with each other as they plan lessons and reflect on their instructional practices.

Far East Student Activities: Our students will continue to have the unique opportunity to participate in once in a lifetime experiences in events sponsored through our Far East Student Activities Program. Events in the third quarter include Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Model United Nations, JROTC, Wrestling, Drama, and Basketball.   

NCA Visits: During the month of February six schools are being visited by NCA teams. These teams are made up of two stateside chairs as well as DoDDS- Pacific/DDESS-Guam teachers and administrators who serve as augmenters. Stateside NCA chairs are: Al Monetta ( Michigan), Noelle Branch ( Colorado), Bill Munsell ( Colorado) and Susan Myxter ( North Dakota). NCA teams will visit; Darby Elementary, Ikego Elementary, Kadena Elementary, King High School, Sasebo Elementary and Stearley Heights Elementary School. Through our partnership with NCA, our schools have the opportunity to be visited by both DoDEA and stateside educators who offer insight, validating our strengths, and offer suggestions for improvements.

Career Opportunities: The high level of collaboration between the Pacific Director’s Office, District Superintendents, Principals and FEA leadership ensures that teachers are afforded multiple placement and career opportunities. The first round of the worldwide transfer program is scheduled for Feb. 27. Schools in DDESS-Guam were included in the program for the first time to provide additional placement opportunities for teachers. Sixty Pacific teacher positions have been identified as excess for next school year due to the closure of Pusan American School and declining enrollment in the Japan District. Although some of our excess teachers have already been placed at other schools within their districts, 48 teachers will go on the transfer list (17 from Pusan and 31 from Japan District.)

Additionally, we granted the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to provide teachers the opportunity to take an early retirement and create more vacancies for the placement of excess teachers. To date, 31 educators in the Pacific applied for and were offered VERA

Teamwork and developing partnerships represents a critical component in any organization that strives for quality. In DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam teamwork remains our focus and ensures the success of our students and teachers.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam