Our district is one of the largest in DoDDS as it spans a distance of over a thousand miles from Misawa Air Base in the north to Sasebo Naval Base in the south.We have approximately 10,000 students and over 1,000 employees including administrators, educators, educational aides and clerical staff. Our district serves all of the military branches including the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard.

Personally, I believe that school should be a warm inviting place for students to learn. I also believe that we need to provide encouragement, as well as structure and discipline, in a variety of courses and activities so that students are able to learn and grow academically, physically, socially and emotionally. The education that we offer is comprehensive in nature so that all students, including those with unique needs and/or strengths, have opportunities for success.
There is a renewed emphasis on educational leadership in the Pacific Area this school year. Administrators are encouraged to spend more time in classrooms and in discussions with educators that center of curriculum and instructional strategies. The DoDEA- wide theme for this school year is "Math Matters."  I have encouraged administrators to work with educators in our schools to create interest in mathematics and to improve the math skills of our students.
If you are just planning to come to Japan or are presently living in Japan, I would just like to offer my favorite survival tip for successful overseas living which is to, "BE FLEXIBLE AND HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR."