DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — May 24, 2007 — Leslye A. Arsht, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (DUSD-MC&FP), today announced the selection of Dr. Shirley Miles as the new Associate Director for Education and Principal Deputy Director, for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The selection was made through a competitive process.

Dr. Miles is currently the Superintendent for the Tempe Union High School District, a 14,000-student high school district (grades 9 through 12) in Tempe, Arizona. Since being assigned to that position in 2004, she has been responsible for planning, developing and managing the educational program for Tempe Union and has extensive experience in co-curricular and academic curriculum, personnel administration, transportation, food services, facilities, maintenance, student and staff achievement accountability, and fiscal management.

With 20 years' experience in education and 10 years' experience in private industry, Dr. Miles has a demonstrated dedication to education and a passion for achieving excellence. She began her education career in Colorado Springs, Colorado 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 and later went on to become 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 and evaluation, multicultural education, and other courses designed for school principals.

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, Colorado. 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 and her brother, Col. Lloyd Miles, is currently serving as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff of the Army.

In announcing the selection which was made through a competitive process, Arsht said, "DoDEA has distinguished itself as a school system that improves continuously; in Dr. Miles we found a leader, who brings a proven record of innovation and success to advance this effort. As DoDEA enters a period of challenge and opportunity, Dr. Miles brings passion, leadership skills and a deep commitment to and understanding of military families, as she joins Dr. Joe Tafoya and a fine DoDEA staff and faculty."

DoDEA Director, Dr. Joe Tafoya, echoed those sentiments in talking about Dr. Miles' selection.

"Our interview panel was impressed with the enthusiasm and energy that Dr. Miles brings to the table. There were incredibly talented candidates involved in this national search and the panel could not have been more impressed with each of them. There were many strong and able leaders to consider for this position, internally within DoDEA and externally as well. This time we chose an external candidate who brings an added experience of having lived the military life."

As DoDEA's Associate Director for Education, Dr. Miles will be responsible for the instructional and educational programs in more than 200 of DoDEA's schools worldwide. She will also oversee personnel operations involving more than 13,000 DoDEA employees who support military families overseas and in the United States and her territories.

Tafoya said Dr. Miles will be instrumental in helping to bring about strategic change, both within and outside DoDEA, to meet its organizational goals.

"Dr. Miles' experience and enthusiasm will lend a valuable perspective to DoDEA and enhance how we achieve the goals we set last year in instituting our Community Strategic Plan for 2006-2011," he said. "She brings the right combination of talent and skill in curriculum, human resources management, and leadership and I am confident that as we go into the future our employees and leaders will welcome her successful approach strategically managing our resources and partnerships to further increase student achievement."

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: Arizona School Administrators Association; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the American Association of School Personnel 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.

Miles is looking forward to joining DoDEA and serving military students and families.

"I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the Deputy Director of Education with DoDEA, said Miles. "I am confident that in working with the dedicated and professional staff of DoDEA, I will be able to make valuable contributions to achieving its goals."

"I'm excited about this new opportunity and can't wait to get started," she added. "I am thrilled to continue my life's work and passion for educating children with the dedicated professionals of DoDEA."

The date that Dr. Miles will assume the position of DoDEA Associate Director for Education and Principal Deputy Director has not yet been set.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.