Ms. Kathleen Smith named principal of Mendel Elementary School

DoDEA Pacific East District Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline Ferguson is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Kathleen Smith as principal at Mendel Elementary School, located at Yokota Air Base, effective Dec. 1, 2024.

Ms. Smith brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role, with a distinguished career both in the U.S. Navy and in education. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Ms. Smith served from January 1989 to August 1998, demonstrating her commitment to service early in her professional journey.

Following her military career, Ms. Smith pursued her passion for education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University in 2000. She continued to enhance her expertise by obtaining a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Phoenix in 2005. Most recently, in 2023, she earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, further solidifying her commitment to educational excellence.

Ms. Smith began her career as a teacher in January 2001 with the Darlington County School District in Lamar, South Carolina. In August 2003, she joined the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), where she has held various roles, including teacher, reading specialist, Instructional Systems Specialist, assistant principal, and principal, serving in Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas. She previously served as principal of Yokota West Elementary School from 2016 to 2018.

For the past six years, Ms. Smith has been a Professional Practice Improvement Specialist at the Center for Instructional Leadership, focusing on improving instructional practices in schools across the Pacific and Europe. Her extensive experience in continuous school improvement and leadership has been recognized throughout her career, including being named the 2009 Okinawa District Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Smith is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative and dynamic learning environment and looks forward to rejoining the Yokota community as principal of Mendel Elementary School. She is excited to work closely with students, parents, teachers, and staff to support the continued success of the school.

A proud mother and grandmother, Ms. Smith's son is a DoDEA graduate who is currently serving as a nurse in the U.S. Army in Hawaii. In her free time, she enjoys quality time with her family and friends.