KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A longtime DODDS educator and school administrator currently working in Italy has been selected as the new deputy director for curriculum, instruction and assessment for military schools in Europe.

Joan Islas will be responsible for providing educational leadership and administrative direction to the area office educational staff and district superintendents, the Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe said in a news release. The job includes overseeing and reviewing all existing school-level programs, as well as recommending program changes and improvements to meet the needs of servicemembers and their families.

Islas is an assistant superintendent at the Mediterranean District Office in Vicenza.

“She brings a wealth of educational knowledge and experience here as we transition to a 21st-century learning environment,” Nancy Bresell, DODDS-Europe director, was quoted as saying in the release. “Throughout her career she has repeatedly demonstrated a sincere commitment to our students, staffs, schools and communities.”

Islas believes educators need to focus on developing each child, the DODDS release says, and “uncover the unique strengths and talents that lie within each of our students” and guide them in reaching their full potential.

She began her career with DODDS 15 years ago as a teacher at C.T. Joy Elementary School in Jinhae, South Korea. She spent eight years in the Korea District as an educator, assistant principal and principal before her promotion in 2008 to assistant superintendent in the Bavaria District. She assumed her current position in 2013, according to the DODDS release.

Islas has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with a minor in psychology, from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. She also has a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in educational leadership.

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