Amanda McDonald selected principal of Kadena Elementary School

DoDEA Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Amanda McDonald as principal of Kadena Elementary School, effective 26 March 2023

Ms. McDonald has served the assistant principal at Kadena Elementary School since August 2020. She began her DoDEA career in 2011 at Yokota West Elementary. She later transferred to South Korea and taught at Humphreys West Elementary. She has taught grades 2-5, including a 4/5 multiage class. As a teacher leader, Ms. McDonald held various leadership roles including Internal Review Team Member, Technology Team, Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Chair, Grade Level Chair, School Leadership Committee Member, and School Advisory Committee member. Prior to joining DoDEA, Ms. McDonald worked in educational sales as the Sales Operations Manager for Classroom Connect, a Harcourt Education Company.

Ms. McDonald holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from McMurry University and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. Ms. McDonald models lifelong learning and continues to take courses that support her reflection as a school leader to improve her practice and outcomes for students.

Ms. McDonald believes building powerful relationships with staff, students and parents is one of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do to ensure both climate and culture are conducive to excellence in a school.

“I have been fortunate to be a part of the military community for many years,” Ms. McDonald said. “We serve a unique and special group of students. It is truly an honor to support military connected students, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the Kadena Elementary School family.”

Ms. McDonald has been affiliated with the US Military for over 30 years, both as a military spouse and as a DoDEA educator. She is the proud mother of a DoDEA graduate – her daughter, Taylor.