Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez

Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez is the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

Dr. Narvaez became the Director on June 1, 2024. As DoDEA’s Director, Dr. Narvaez has oversight of all Defense Department K-12 schools, both stateside and overseas. DoDEA operates 161 schools in 11 countries, 7 states, Guam and Puerto Rico, serving more than 65,000 students. She brings with her 30 years of experience in education prior to assuming the role of Director of DoDEA.

Dr. Narvaez joined the Department of Defense Education Activity in 2016 as Chief of Instructional Leadership Development for DoDEA’s Pacific Region. Utilizing her extensive school system leadership experience, she started up the Pacific’s Center for Instructional Leadership and served as a coach for school and district leaders.

From April 2020 through May 2024, Dr. Narvaez served as DoDEA’s Chief Academic Officer, leading all aspects of DoDEA’s educational programs. During this time Dr. Narvaez led the implementation of DoDEA’s College and Career Ready Standards, resulting in DoDEA becoming the highest performing school system in the Nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Prior to joining DoDEA, Dr. Narvaez served as Superintendent for Hartford, Connecticut Public Schools. Under her leadership, the district was recognized for its cutting-edge, student-centered practices, receiving national acclaim as the Magnet Schools of America “District of the Year” and being awarded a multi-million dollar Nellie Mae Education Foundation Grant to create high school centers of innovation. In addition, Dr. Narvaez served as the Deputy Superintendent of School Support and Improvement for Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools; and Assistant Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer for Springfield, Massachusetts Public Schools; as well as Principal at an elementary school, and later a middle school, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Dr. Narvaez began her career as a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea, a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Kiribati, and a teacher in her home state of Pennsylvania. Even during this early stage of her career, Dr. Narvaez was already a strong proponent of the power of leadership to improve education, creating a teacher-leadership initiative, collaborating on district curriculum frameworks, and leading workshops for other teachers. As a career educator, Dr. Narvaez loves talking with teachers, administrators, students and their families; and values collaboration and teamwork.

Dr. Narvaez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University. She completed her graduate studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education where she earned a master’s degree in School Leadership, a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management, and a doctorate from the Urban Superintendents Program.

Dr. Narvaez lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and daughter. As a family, they enjoy both traveling the world and exploring the cultural riches that exist in their own backyard in the Washington, D.C. region.