Villarreal Selected as 2023 DoDEA Principal of the Year

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) proudly announces that Mr. Marc Villarreal, the Sigonella Middle/High School principal, has been selected as the 2023 DoDEA Principal of the Year.

DoDEA Director Thomas Brady praised Villarreal for building strong partnerships in the Sigonella community while maintaining a focus on student achievement.

“Marc Villarreal has done remarkable work in creating relationships with parents and the installation command that was a critical part of building a school culture that fosters high achievement,” said Brady. “This is a well-deserved recognition that reflects Marc’s commitment to our military-connected students and their families.”

Joining DoDEA in 1998, Villarreal has served as a teacher, assistant principal and now principal of Sigonella MHS. His DoDEA experience includes both teaching and leading at the elementary, middle school and high school levels across the Pacific and European theaters in Japan, Germany, Italy and Spain.

"I am honored and humbled to be named as the 2023 Principal of the Year for DoDEA,” said Villareal. “I absolutely love my job and seeing our kids come in the door everyday – I just can’t give them anything but 110%, it’s non-negotiable."

Mr. Villarreal received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He participated in a master’s program in Educational Administration from Framingham University and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Along with the award and recognition, Villarreal will compete in the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ National Principal of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding middle and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning experiences for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

For more information on the DoDEA Principal of the Year program, visit: https://www.dodea.edu/poy

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.