PEACHTREE CITY, GA — June 5, 2012 — Dr. Linda Curtis, Acting Director Area Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) and Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Cuba, (DoDDS-Cuba) announced today that Dr. Ronald J. Knight, Jr., has been named principal of Dexter Elementary School, at Fort Benning, Ga., in the Georgia/Alabama District. Dr. Matthew Kralevich, current principal, has accepted a position with DoDDS-Europe in Bavaria.

Dr. Knight comes to DDESS from the Killeen (Texas) Independent School District where he most recently served as the principal of Maxdale Elementary School. A 15-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Dr. Knight’s children attended DoDEA schools in Germany and as a child, he attended a DoDEA school in England. As an educator, Dr. Knight has served the children of the military as an educational assistant, teacher, curriculum instructional specialist, assistant principal and principal.

“As a former member of the armed forces, Dr. Knight will truly be able to support our military children and families,” said Mrs. Lois Rapp, Georgia/Alabama District Superintendent. “He will be a welcome addition to our GA/AL team.”

Dr. Knight earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Liberal Studies from Excelsior University, Albany, N.Y.; his Master’s in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University – Central Texas, in Killeen; and his Doctorate of Educational Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas.

He and his wife, Maritess, have two children. Daughter Marikit is a high school sophomore and son Jonathan is in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He completed jump school at Fort Benning a month ago.