Dr. James Bleecker

He began his teaching career in 2007 at a Title One middle school in Central Florida, where he served as a gifted services provider, professional growth plan reviewer, data team leader, acting dean of discipline, club sponsor, advisory council secretary, summer school facilitator, track coach, and an International Baccalaureate (IB) program educator. He became an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program coordinator and elective teacher at an AVID National Demonstration Site. Additionally, he became part of an AVID lobbying committee, which helped pass a State of Florida appropriation bill to increase funding for public schools.

In 2015, Dr. Bleecker joined DoDEA as an educator, AVID coordinator, and multi-sport coach at Fort Knox High School. He led the track team to a state championship in 2017 and was awarded the title of Kentucky Coach of the Year. Later that year he accepted a position as an educator at Nile C. Kinnick High School in Yokosuka, Japan, where he taught Advanced Placement (AP) social studies and served as Continuous Improvement (CI) chair, department chair, track coach, and club sponsor for the Cultural Appreciation Committee. In 2021, he accepted an assistant principalship at Lester Middle School in Okinawa, Japan.

Dr. Bleecker holds a bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University in history and social studies education; a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida; an educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, both from Liberty University.

Dr. Bleecker resides in Okinawa with his wife and three children, who all attend DoDEA schools. His passions include health, mindfulness, lifelong learning, and spending time with his family