DoDEA

PEACHTREE CITY, GA — July 9, 2008 — Dr. Elaine Beraza, Director, Department of Defense (DoD) Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) and Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Cuba, (DoDDS-Cuba) announced today that Mrs. Donna Kacmarski has been named principal of Russell Elementary School, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in the New York/Virginia/Puerto Rico District. She replaces Dr. Randell Ekanger who will move to Burrows Elementary School.

Kacmarski is currently serving as principal of Seoul American Elementary School, Korea, in DoDDS-Pacific, a position she has held since 2006. She began her career with DoDEA in 1993, while her family was stationed in Panama. Her first teaching assignment was at Curundu Elementary School. After four years she went to teach at Taegu American School in Korea. In 2000 she was promoted to assistant principal at Taegu and when Humphreys American Elementary School opened she was named principal.

“We’re very pleased to have Ms. Kacmarski accept the position of principal here at Quantico,” said Mr. Michael Gould, New York/Virginia/Puerto Rico District Superintendent. “She brings enthusiasm and a commitment to student achievement to the position. Ms. Kacmarski will serve our students and education program well."

A native of Virginia, Kacmarski earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. She taught in Prince George, VA. She earned her master’s degree in School Administration from the University of Alaska, Southeast in Juneau, Alaska. She and her husband have three sons who are graduates of DoDEA schools.