School Talk – Pacific Edition

School Talk is a monthly forum for the community of the Department of Defense Education Activity, your chance to interact directly with DoDEA's leaders as they discuss topics related to educating the children of America's service members.

School Talk – Europe/DoDDS Edition

On this edition, Director Marilee Fitzgerald introduces DoDEA’s new show, "School Talk"; shares some observations, priorities, and points of celebration for the system; addresses how parents, students and teachers can become involved in the discussion; and talks to the 2012 DoDEA teacher of the Year, Angela Wilson.

Teacher Appreciation Week

A quarter century ago, Allen Dale Olson, a former DoDEA educator and historian, wrote, "There is only one real story to tell about the Dependents Schools -- from the first days, classroom teachers and school principals have worked long hours, in tough situations, against incredible requirements to create the school system that American kids overseas needed and deserved."

School Talk – Americas/DDESS Edition

On this edition, Director Marilee Fitzgerald introduces DoDEA’s new show, "School Talk"; shares some observations, priorities, and points of celebration for the system; addresses how parents, students and teachers can become involved in the discussion; and talks to the 2012 DoDEA teacher of the Year, Angela Wilson.
  • Students from military families in the DC area respond to a fellow student's story about the ups and downs of being in a military family and the challenges that come from frequent moves.

    Students from military families in the DC area respond to a fellow student's story about the ups and downs of being in a military family and the challenges that come from frequent moves.

  • Students from military families in the DC area had a chance to speak with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the Department of Education Headquarters this week. DoDEA Director Marilee Fitzgerald and Military Child Education Coalition Board Member Patti Shinseki also had an opportunity to hear student's perspectives on the challenges students face due to transitions and deployments.

    Students from military families in the DC area had a chance to speak with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the Department of Education Headquarters this week. DoDEA Director Marilee Fitzgerald and Military Child Education Coalition Board Member Patti Shinseki also had an opportunity to hear student's perspectives on the challenges students face due to transitions and deployments.

Meeting Secretary Duncan

Students from military families in the DC area respond to a fellow student's story about the ups and downs of being in a military family and the challenges that come from frequent moves.

National Women’s History Month 2012

March is Women's History Month. During this month, DoDEA celebrates the accomplishments and contributions women have made in the field of education and in the education of women. Visit our DoDEA Celebrates page at for more informat

Be Here! Toolkit

We have added a Be Here! Toolkit tab on our website with a collection of documents for teachers & administrators to download and distribute as part of your own individualized Be Here! campaigns.

DoDEA “MyData Button” Initiative

I am pleased to announce the launch of the DoDEA "MyData Button" Initiative. This initiative provides parents with a web-based "button" linked to the Aspen Student Information System Parent Portal by School Year (SY) 2012-2013.

National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6-10, 2012

Schools throughout the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will celebrate National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6-10, 2012. National School Counseling Week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. This year's theme is "School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant."