Judith Allen selected as AFNORTH International Schools Director

Dr. Michelle Howard-Brahaney, Department of Defense Education Activity – Europe Director for Student Excellence, announced that Dr. Judith Allen has been selected as the next Director for the AFNORTH International School.

“Dr. Allen has the life and career experience, drive, and leadership ability necessary for the challenges associated with this unique position,” said Brahaney.

In her new role, Allen will serve a 5-year term as Director for the AFNorth International School (AIS) which provides primary and secondary education for the children of U.S., U.K., Canadian and German military personnel serving at the NATO Joint Forces Command Headquarters in Brunssum, the Netherlands. The school is attended by over 900 students between the ages of 3 and 18. Allen will be responsible for the management of the school and will advise the Board of Governors on school priorities, ensuring effective administration of education programs. Allen is replacing Ms. Kathy Wood, who has served as AIS Director since 2017.

Prior to this appointment, Allen served as the DoDEA Pacific East District (Japan) Superintendent since August 2019. She assumed this role after serving as Pacific West District (Korea) Superintendent since 2014. Allen is a career educator with extensive teaching and administrative experience. She joined DoDEA more than 35 years ago as a substitute teacher in Europe and has held several positions of progressive responsibility in both Europe and the Pacific.

“I began my career with DoDEA in Europe, and I’m excited to return and lead the community of learners at AFNorth International School,” Allen said. “While I have enjoyed the Pacific and will be sad to leave, I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve this unique population of students.”

Allen earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University, European Division. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Allen is very familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities associated with military life. She was married to an Air Force veteran, and spent more than two decades transitioning with her family between military installations in Europe, the Pacific, and the U.S. In so doing, she has had the opportunity to call Texas, Ohio, Arkansas, Japan, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Hawaii, Nevada, Spain, Turkey, Okinawa, Germany, England, Korea and Japan (for a second time) “home.” She is the mother of three children, Laura, Ted, Jr. and Marc and five grandchildren. Her son, Marc is retired from the U.S. Air Force.