Ms. Deborah Connolly selected principal of Ryukyu Middle School

DoDEA Pacific South District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Hayes is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Deborah Connolly as principal of Ryukyu Middle School, located on Kadena Air Base, effective 21 October 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Ms. Connolly back to the Pacific South team,” Dr. Hayes shared. “We know she will contribute greatly to Ryukyu Middle School.” 

Ms. Connolly’s journey with DoDEA began in 2003 as an educator at Argonner Elementary School in Germany until its closure in 2007. She then relocated to Okinawa, where she taught at Bechtel Elementary School. During this time, Ms. Connolly assumed numerous leadership roles, which she carried forward to Yokosuka, Japan, when she joined The Sullivans School as a fourth grade teacher in 2018.

In 2021, Ms. Connolly was appointed Interim Assistant Principal at The Sullivans School, before transitioning to her current role as Assistant Principal at Yokosuka Middle School. As a school administrator, she worked to foster a positive school climate and prioritized student needs by building strong relationships with students and families. Her focus on creating student-centered learning environments has led to increased academic achievement.

Ms. Connolly’s background as a military child provides her with a unique understanding of the experiences and needs of military-connected students. Born in Tokyo and raised across various locations in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, she attended DoDEA schools from elementary through high school. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, followed by a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Her personal and professional experiences have equipped her with a global perspective, enhancing her ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.

Ms. Connolly is also a proud mother of four DoDEA graduates, all of whom actively participated in leadership roles, clubs, and sports during their academic journeys. This connection to the military community has shaped her passion for supporting military-connected students and their families.

At Ryukyu Middle School, Ms. Connolly is committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to explore and grow into exceptional individuals. She believes that nurturing the whole child is essential for their success both in school and in life, and she looks forward to working collaboratively with teachers, staff, students, and families to create a school climate that promotes academic excellence and personal development.