DoDEA Announces 2022 Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise Recipient

Ms. Beth Rayner, a Reading Specialist at Yokosuka Middle School on Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, has been selected as the Department of Defense Education Activity’s 2022 Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise.

“The legacy of Dr. Linda Curtis lives on through educators like Beth Rayner,” said DoDEA Director Thomas Brady. “Her outstanding work across so many areas contributing to continuous school improvement and student achievement at Yokosuka Middle School exemplifies Ms. Rayner’s commitment to military families and her incredible potential as a teacher leader in DoDEA.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Rayner serves as the Advanced Academic Resources Committee chair, leader of the Continuous School Improvement team, coordinator of the Strategic Literacy Instruction program, coordinator of the DoDEA International Friendship Camp and a member of the district’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group. Being part of a military-connected family inspired Rayner’s interest in working for DoDEA and serving military-connected students.

“Ms. Rayner’s dedication to all student and staff members’ growth and learning ensures equitable experiences for all students in our learning community,” said Yokosuka MS principal Stacey Hull-Walsh. “Her dedication to supporting the growth of her colleagues exudes the true meaning of teacher leadership.”

Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise Award

The Educator of Promise (EOP) award was created in 2019 by DoDEA Director Thomas Brady to honor the legacy and service of retired DoDEA leader and long-time educator, Dr. Linda L. Curtis. During her career, Dr. Curtis was instrumental in advancing teacher leadership across DoDEA.

The EOP program recognizes and honors exemplary Pre-K through high school teachers with less than three years of teaching experience in DoDEA who demonstrate superior leadership skills. Nominations for individual educators are nominated by peers or administrators and then reviewed by regional panels to select candidates for consideration. Seven regional candidates were considered for the 2022 award.

Along with public recognition and the award, Rayner will attend a teacher leadership summit at DoDEA Headquarters in Alexandria, Va., receive teacher professional development and participate in various leadership opportunities. The year of service for the 2022 Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise begins on July 1, 2022 and runs through June 30, 2023.

Additional information about the Dr. Linda L. Curtis Educator of Promise Program, including points of contact, may be found on the DoDEA website: Educator of Promise page.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.