As the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, Dr. Shirley A. Miles has oversight of all DoDEA schools, in the U.S. and overseas. Prior to her selection in June, 2008, Dr. Miles served as DoDEA's Associate Director for Education and Principal Deputy Director. She is DoDEA's sixth Director.

Dr. Miles had ten years of private industry experience, and prior to joining DoDEA, she was Superintendent of the Tempe Union High School District, a 14,000-student high school district (grades 9 through 12) in Tempe, AZ.  Dr. Miles began her education career in Colorado Springs, CO, where she taught history, economics and law for the Air Academy School District and went on to serve as an assistant principal and high school principal in Denver, Colorado. 

She later became the Human Resources Director for the Academy District in Colorado Springs. Dr. Miles was also an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) training educators in school supervision, evaluation, multicultural education, and other courses designed for school principals.

Dr. Miles earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver in 2001 and was awarded a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in 1990. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado in 1984. She is a member of a variety of professional organizations including: Colorado School Administrators Association; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the American Association of School Administrators. She is also an active member of many business and community organizations and has received numerous awards and certificates for community service and professional achievement.

No stranger to military communities, Dr. Miles was born in Panama where her father was in the U.S. Army. As a youth, she grew accustomed to the regular movement of families and became familiar with the transition issues associated with military family moves, moving 7 times throughout her elementary, middle and high school years. She graduated from Fountain-Ft. Carson High School in Ft. Carson, CO. Her father retired from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant Major, and members of her family have served continuously in the Armed Forces since 1947. Two of her brothers graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Her brother, Brig. Gen. Lloyd Miles, is currently serving as the Deputy Commanding General of Fort Benning and the Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.