Lashaunda Norman, Ph.D. selected as Principal of Iwakuni Elementary School

Dr. Judith Allen, DoDEA Pacific East District Superintendent, is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Lashaunda Norman as principal of Iwakuni Elementary School, located at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Dr. Norman obtained both her Bachelor of Science (May 1999) and Master of Science degrees (August 2001) in Biology Education from Alabama State University (ASU). Additionally, in August 2006, she received a graduate level certification in Educational Leadership from ASU. In December of 2013, Norman went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on strategies to improve science achievement from Kansas State University. Norman holds certifications in Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology, General Science, AVID, and Educational Technology. She has also been trained in several areas: NEXT Generation Science Standards and certified data trainer by the Colorado Leadership Training Center during her tenure with the Georgia State Department of Education, READ180, and 21st Century Teaching & Learning by the Buck Institute-CA. Dr. Norman currently serves on the Pacific East Steering Committee and is taking a course through Harvard University called The Introduction to Data-Wise: A Collaborative Process to Improve Learning and Teaching. She will use this knowledge to strengthen her advocacy for data usage and to empower teachers and students to improve student outcomes.

Dr. Norman's teaching career began in January of 1999 as a science teacher for Montgomery Public Schools in Alabama. As an Army spouse, Norman has taught in public schools in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and Texas before joining DoDEA. In Florida, she taught various science subjects in Title I and International Baccalaureate (IB) settings before becoming a School Standards Coach at the middle school level while teaching biology as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida. In Texas, she was an Assistant Principal at the Early College for Canutillo Independent School District while teaching education courses at the University of Texas-El Paso. While completing doctoral level coursework at Kansas State University, Norman served as the Associate Executive Director of the Council for Public School Improvement (CPSI) for two years. She soon moved with her family to Fort Benning, Georgia, where she joined Muscogee County School District as a middle school science teacher (one year) and school science academic coach the following year. During the same time, she was teaching science to elementary education majors at Columbus State University. Norman became the district science academic coach until October 2014, when she joined DoDEA at M.C. Perry High School teaching AP Biology, Biology, and middle school science. She also served as co-chairperson of Continuous School Improvement (CSI) 2015-17, mentored new teachers, sponsored cheerleading (fall 2015), girls’ basketball (winter 2016), and served as Director of Far East Cheerleading (fall 2016). Dr. Norman was also an online biology instructor for the University of Phoenix (2010 – 2017) until she was promoted to Assistant Principal at E.J. King Middle/High School (Oct 2017 – June 2021) where she helped develop a comprehensive Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Plan to improve student achievement and school culture.

Dr. Norman believes all students will achieve to their highest potential when they are in a nurturing environment, which comes from building relationships with them. She also believes in building teacher leader capacity by empowering teachers to enhance both their own professional growth as well as student achievement and school excellence.

As a lifelong learner and passionate educator, Dr. Norman is looking forward to returning to her first overseas home and having the opportunity to work again with all stakeholders in Iwakuni.

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.