DoDEA HQ Office of Communications

4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-1400

The DoDEA Communications Office initiates and manages DoDEA's communications and outreach efforts worldwide. The office coordinates press relations, internal information programs and communication with students, parents, teachers, school administrators and the public.

The HQ Communications Office:

Issues news releases and media advisories about DoDEA initiatives, employees and programs Produces video and television promotional and informational products marketed worldwide Maintains the DoDEA web site Designs printed promotional and informational material and graphic artwork to accompany publications, promotions and initiatives

For Immediate Release — May 31, 2006 | HQ
Martha Deutscher: DoDEA, Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — May 31, 2006 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) proudly recognizes an outstanding assistant principal as DoDEA Assistant Principal of the Year for Elementary and Middle Level. The 2006-2007 DoDEA Assistant Principal of the Year for Elementary and Middle Level is Mike McClain of Bechtel Elementary School, Okinawa, Japan.

The DoDEA Assistant Principal of the Year for Elementary and Middle Level is an annual award to honor exemplary elementary and middle school assistant principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the education children receive during their early school years.

The criteria for selection mandate that the selected assistant principal is an active assistant principal of a school in which commitment to excellence is clearly evident through programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, and through firmly established community ties with parents and military commands.

"Mr. McClain always has a smile to offer" said Kadena Middle School parent, Alisa Allen, of McCain's community service work which included volunteering for the Kadena High School Graduation Project as a fundraiser.

"Mr. McClain is an outstanding assistant principal due to his ability to foster a community of learners within an educational environment", said Gayle Vaughn-Wiles, Superintendent of DoDEA's Okinawa District. Mr. McClain's philosophy is to involve parents in that community of learning. "Outstanding assistant principals encourage parents to become meaningfully involved in the school and in their own children's learning," said McClain. "Actively engaging the community begins with an optimistic attitude grounded in the belief that children do best when we collaborate and work on their behalf."