St Jean named 2021 Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise

“Ms. St Jean is considered a subject matter expert in literacy who has helped the school community understand the progression of literacy development as well as the instructional decisions teachers make for their students,” said Ms. Caryn Currie, Principal of Ramstein Intermediate school. “Ms. St Jean’s ability to share effectively with students, staff, and the administration team has made a tremendous impact in the school community.”

According to her fellow teachers, “Ms. St Jean is an exemplary teacher who is continuously looking for better, stronger, and more effective resources to ensure increased student achievement. Ms. St Jean models integrity, has strong interpersonal and communication skills, displays high levels of professionalism, and demonstrates a passion for student learning. She uses data in making instructional decisions, recognizes opportunities and takes the initiative to mobilizes people around a common purpose. Ms. St Jean has a unique way of providing feedback to students that is honest but at the same time effective in making students feel loved and supported.”

St Jean joined DoDEA in 2020. She says that literacy is her passion and believes that a solid reading foundation can open doors to endless possibilities. She is a wife, military mom to a son and daughter, and a grandmother of two grandchildren.

Graduating from Southeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and ESOL, St Jean went on to earn a masters’ degree in Reading Education K-12 from Nova Southeastern, and in Educational Leadership and Administration from the American College of Education. St Jean relocated to China in 2013 where she worked as a third-grade teacher at an International school. In 2015, she moved to Shenzhen, China where she worked as an ESL/Academic Coordinator.

The Educator of Promise (EOP) Award was created in 2019 by Mr. Thomas Brady, DoDEA Director, to honor the legacy and service of more than 33 years in DoDEA of retired senior leader and long-time educator, Dr. Linda L. Curtis. During her career, Dr. Curtis was instrumental in the advancement of teacher leadership across DoDEA.

The EOP Award will provide a lasting tribute to Dr. Curtis’s efforts and continue to elevate the importance of teacher leadership by empowering learning communities in DoDEA schools around the globe.

For more information, please visit our Educator of Promise page.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-age 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 Agencies throughout the United States that serve children of military families.