Jimmy Journey Retires After 32 Year of Service to Military-connected Students

Mr. Jimmy Journey, District Superintendent for DoDEA Pacific South, will retire on December 30, 2021, after 32 years of service to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

Mr. Journey started his career with DoDEA teaching third and fourth grades in 1989 at Thomas A. Roberts Elementary in Berlin, Germany. Journey and his wife Betty both joined the DoDEA team after teaching in San Antonio, Texas. After being encouraged to apply to DoDEA by some former teachers, Mr. Journey and his wife signed a two-year contract that turned into a 30+ year adventure.

As Superintendent of the Pacific South District, Mr. Jimmy Journey oversaw the education of approximately 6,800 students. A total of about 750 employees who support the 13 DoDEA Schools in Okinawa. Student success from pre-school through grade 12 and beyond is the priority for the DoDEA Pacific South Team.

Originally from Texas, Mr. Journey received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Sam Houston State University. He joined DoDEA in 1989 as an elementary school and special education teacher for 9 years before transitioning to School Administration. Mr. Journey worked as a principal in mainland Japan and Okinawa from 2002-2013.

In 2013, Mr. Journey took on an Assistant Superintendent of the Pacific East District, where he stayed until July of 2016. In July 2016, he served as the community superintendent of the Department of Defense Guam Schools. Journey assumed his current position as Superintendent of the Pacific South District in August of 2019.

Mr. Journey believes that communication is vital to the success of any operation. As a principal, he focused on creating an environment where students were comfortable coming to school and challenged to do their best every day. He encouraged parents to be active partners in their children's education.

As Superintendent, Mr. Journey believed that schools serve a vital role in the community. Students and families have valued partners in the education process. As a strong leader during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mr. Journey felt that schools should provide consistency, support, and opportunity to our communities.

"Our schools are here to meet the needs of our military and military-connected students." Mr. Journey and his wife Betty will travel back to Texas, where their priority is reconnecting with family and friends. Mr. Journey said, "My wife Betty will be retiring with me after teaching and traveling for more than 30 years. It has been an awesome voyage that was only supposed to last for two years.”

I have led a charmed life up to this point. I had a great time working with outstanding educators, families, and students during my time with DoDEA. The opportunities provided to our students and our employees are fantastic. I have been fortunate to be a part of DoDEA and am grateful for the experiences. All of us at DoDEA congratulate Mr. Journey on his retirement! It has indeed been an honor working with him, and we wish him the best in the years to come!

Auf Wierdershen and Sayōnara. さようなら, Mr. Journey!

About DoDEA

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the United States that serve children of military families.