Dr. Steven R. Bloom

ARLINGTON, VA — November 14, 2011 — Acting Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Director Marilee Fitzgerald selected Dr. Steven R. Bloom for a temporary assignment as the Acting Director of DoDEA Pacific schools.

During the 120-day career broadening assignment, Bloom will be responsible for management of DoDEA schools located in Guam, Japan, Okinawa, and South Korea.

Bloom is the current Superintendent for the DoDEA Guam District. He will assume leadership responsibilities for DoDEA Pacific on Nov. 20 and will join the Area Office-located in Okinawa, Japan-on Nov. 28. Current DoDEA Pacific Director Diana Ohman has accepted a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs and also begins her new role on Nov. 20. A formal job announcement for the permanent Area Director for DoDEA Pacific was posted to the USAJobs website on Nov. 2 with a closing date of Dec. 7.

"Dr. Bloom has a proven record of success," said Fitzgerald in announcing the selection. "He is a strong educational leader and has modeled effective command and community relations. Having previously served as the Deputy Director of DoDEA Pacific schools, Dr. Bloom's selection minimizes the disruption associated with any senior leadership change. Dr. Bloom has a deep understanding of the operations, strategic initiatives, challenges and opportunities in the Pacific theater. We look forward to Dr. Bloom's leadership during this time of transition."

As Superintendent of the Guam District, Bloom is responsible for over 2,700 students, 450 employees, and an annual budget of approximately $36 million. He entered the DoDEA system in 1982 as a special education teacher before becoming the principal at Torrejon, Spain. From there, Bloom applied his extensive background in education and curriculum to the various administrative and supervisory positions he has held within the DoDEA Europe and Pacific areas.

Bloom's first assignment to DoDEA Pacific began in 1993 as a Supervisory Education Specialist in the education division of the Area Office. In June 1996, he became Superintendent of the Okinawa District and in 2000, he rejoined the Area Office as Deputy Director of DoDEA Pacific before being selected for his current Superintendent position in Aug. 2010.

DoDEA Guam District Assistant Superintendent Jeff Arrington will serve as the Acting Superintendent for the Guam District during Bloom's 120-day assignment.

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.

About DoDEA Pacific:
DoDEA Pacific provides a comprehensive education to the children of U.S. Servicemembers and eligible civilian personnel serving throughout Asia. The 49 schools in DoDEA Pacific are composed of nearly 24,000 students and 3,100 full-time professional educators and support staff. The schools are geographically organized into four districts: Guam, Japan, Okinawa and South Korea.