DoDEA Europe announces 2025 District Teachers of the Year

The Department of Defense Education Activity Europe region is pleased to announce the 2025 District Teachers of the Year for the Europe East, Europe South, and Europe West districts. Congratulations to these three educators, who, along with five other educators, are now in the running for DoDEA Teacher of the Year.

Harris-Boring Selected as 2025 DoDEA Europe East District Teacher of the Year 

Susan Harris-Boring, a 6^th grade Social Studies Teacher at Kaiserslautern Middle School, Germany has been selected as the 2025 East District Teacher of the Year.

“Susan is a remarkable educator in every regard and an exceptional teacher leader who is committed to serving our students every day, "said acting East District Superintendent Joseph Lovett.

Harris-Boring is a dedicated and passionate educator who believes in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for her students. She understands the importance of the middle grades as a formative period for growth and skill development and works tirelessly to help her students become confident and successful learners. At the core of her teaching philosophy is the belief that every student deserves to feel valued and respected, and that social-emotional learning is just as important as traditional academics. She believes in DoDEA’s goal of making students feel welcomed, respected, engaged, and empowered.

“We are thrilled to share that Susan, has been selected as the 2025 East District Teacher of the Year. This recognition is a testament to the tireless efforts of teachers who put their heart and soul into their work and are committed to the success and growth of their students. Susan is truly a remarkable teacher here at Kaiserslautern Middle School,” said Kaiserslautern Middle School Principal Jason James.

Originally from Louisiana, Harris-Boring has spent over two decades traveling the world with her family. She has been teaching with DoDEA for five years and has called Germany home for the past nine years. Harris-Boring holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Maryland University College, a Bachelor of Journalism in Broadcast Journalism, and a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Harris-Boring's commitment to teaching and her students has earned her several accolades, including a Public Service Commendation Medal from the United States Department of the Army for her work as a volunteer English teacher with Operation Allies Refuge in 2021. She is also honored to facilitate future leaders through the KMS's National Junior Honor Society where community-based service projects have impacts beyond the school. Harris-Boring has a legacy of leadership through Instructional Leadership at the school level and beyond, Continuous School Improvement teams, mentorship, and much more. We are inspired by her dedication and proud to have her as a member of the DoDEA community.

Wilford Selected as 2025 DoDEA Europe South District Teacher of the Year 

Katie Wilford, a Special Education Teacher at Rota Middle/High School, Spain, has been selected as the 2025 South District Teacher of the Year.

“I am thrilled to share that Katie Wilford has been selected as the South District Teacher of the Year. She is an exceptional and talented teacher who is making a real difference in the lives of students. Her teaching style is creative and engaging, which has helped students develop a deep understanding of the material. Her dedication and hard work have made her an inspiration to her colleagues and students alike. I am incredibly proud of her, and I know that she will continue to excel in her profession,” said Dr. Jeff Arrington, South District Superintendent. 

Wilford currently works as a teacher for Learning Impaired Mild-Moderate (LIMM) students at Rota Middle/High School (RMHS) in the Europe South District for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). She co-teaches Math and English courses to students in grades 6-9. Wilford has been a part of DoDEA for 18 years and has served students with disabilities in various roles across all grade levels.

She is passionate about building collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture that promotes academic equity for all students. Wilford received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2004 and a Master of Science in Special Education in 2006 from the University of Kansas. She began her DoDEA career in 2006 at Shirley Lanham Elementary School (Japan) as a Teacher for Learning Impaired Moderate-Severe (LIMS) students before transferring to Vicenza Elementary School (Italy) as a Teacher for LIMS and a Preschool for Children with Disabilities (PSCD) Teacher. After that, Wilford became an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS) for Special Education and Autism for eight years, serving in the Pacific South District Office and the Europe South District Office. As an ISS, she advocated for all students with disabilities by consulting with leaders, teachers, parents, community members, and students. In 2022, Wilford returned to the RMHS classrooms, where she continues to support U.S. Military families abroad as a caring educational leader. She is supported by her loving family and is dedicated to providing quality education to her students.

“Katie is a highly skilled and respected teacher who collaborates with her peers and uses a variety of teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of her students. She promotes a caring and encouraging student-centered learning environment that helps guide students to success,” said Ms. Stephanie El Sayed, South District Community Superintendent.

Miller Selected as 2025 DoDEA Europe West District Teacher of the Year 

Molly Miller, a 4th Grade Teacher at Liberty Intermediate School, United Kingdom has been selected as the 2025 West District Teacher of the Year.

“Molly is an exemplary teacher, but also a great teacher leader.  She understands the power of engaging in district-level work to support all students beyond her own classroom doors by lending her voice!  The resultant circle of influence she has grows every day in size and impact,” said West District Superintendent, Dr. Jason Ter Horst.  

Miller is a life-long learner who is always on a mission to make her classroom an engaging, inclusive, happy place for students to grow into amazing humans.  Miller prides herself on using creativity, collaboration, and connection in the classroom to develop well-rounded students.  She is enjoying her sixth year as a fourth-grade teacher.  While currently teaching at Liberty Intermediate School in the DoDEA Europe West district, she has also impacted students in the DoDEA Pacific South district, Clovis Municipal Schools in New Mexico, and Clayton County Public Schools in Georgia.  Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from the University of Dayton, as well as a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from the University of Oklahoma.  Miller has held various leadership roles including Continuous School Improvement co-chair, Instructional Leadership Team member, grade level chair, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports implementation member, and a wide range of student clubs and activities sponsor.  Miller is also currently a member of the National Education Association’s Leaders for Just Schools cohort, focused on providing equitable education for all students across the country.  

“Molly is a well-rounded and well-respected teacher who utilizes a variety of teaching strategies to reach her students. She creatively and intentionally plans and designs her lessons to meet the varied needs of her students. Molly engages in various teacher leader opportunities at her school and engages in ongoing professional growth and learning opportunities to continuously reflect and grow as a professional,” said Dr. Tonya Laliberte, West District Community Superintendent.

The DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors exemplary Pre-K through high school teachers. The process begins at the nomination level where teachers may be nominated by peers, administrators, parents, students or community members. Each District Teacher of the Year is selected by a district panel using specified criteria to review District Teacher of the Year applications. Eight teachers will be named District Teacher of the Year for 2025. Each District Teacher of the Year is invited to apply for the DoDEA Teacher of the Year.

The National Teacher of the Year program, run by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), identifies exceptional teachers nationwide, celebrates their effective work in and outside of the classroom, amplifies their voices and empowers them to take part in policy discussions at the state and national levels.

The year of service for the 2025 District and DoDEA Teachers of the Year will begin on January 1, 2025, and run through December 2024. The selection is made months before the term starts to allow the DoDEA candidate and other candidates from the 50 states and territories time to participate in the National Teacher of the Year program, which selects a finalist in December. The current (2024) DoDEA Teacher of the Year’s term runs through the end of December 2024.

For any questions pertaining to DoDEA Europe please contact the Public Affairs Office at +49-0611-143-545-1518.