Federal Education Association

09/04/2026

FEA Welcomes NEA President Princess Moss! 🎉

A new chapter begins at the National Education Association as Princess Moss officially begins her tenure as NEA President!

A career educator, music teacher, and longtime union leader, President Moss brings more than 30 years of experience in the classroom and in local, state, and national leadership.

President Moss begins this new chapter alongside newly elected NEA Vice President Noel Candelaria and Secretary-Treasurer Robert Rodriguez.

FEA welcomes President Moss and NEA’s new leadership team, and we look forward to working together on behalf of educators, students, and public schools across the country.

👏 Join us in welcoming President Princess Moss!

Learn more: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/leaders/president

08/20/2026

Welcome, Adam Johnston!

Please join us in welcoming Adam Johnston, who joined FEA's Board of Directors as our new Pacific Area Director in late June.

Adam has served DoDEA students and families in Okinawa, Japan, for 19 years and currently assigned to Kubasaki High School. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to educator advocacy and union leadership, serving as President of the American Educators Association Okinawa, Vice President for Elementary, and as both an FR and FRS at Kinser Elementary School. He is also the recipient of the Air Force Sergeant Association STEM Teacher of the Year Award.

As he begins this new role, we're excited to welcome Adam's experience, leadership, and dedication to serving FEA members across the Pacific Region.

Congratulations, Adam! We look forward to the work ahead and to your leadership in supporting educators throughout the Pacific.

08/13/2026

Happy Retirement, Mike Adair! 🎉

After years of dedicated service to FEA members as our Pacific Area Director, Mike retired at the end of June.

Throughout his career, Mike has been a steadfast advocate for educators across the Pacific Region, providing guidance, support, and representation while helping strengthen our union and the members it serves.

Thank you, Mike, for your leadership, commitment, and the lasting impact you've made on FEA and our members. We wish you endless days of relaxation, adventure, and joy in your well-earned retirement.

💙 Congratulations, Mike, and thank you for everything!

06/24/2026

The Spring 2026 edition of the FEA Journal (Vol. 69, No. 3) is now available online.

In this issue:

📢 A Message from Sharon Manuel, FEA President
🌏 A Message from David Kelts, Former Pacific Area Director of FEA
🎓 Dr. Michael A. Pope's Legacy of Global Learning
📖 And much more!

You can access the journal online here: https://bit.ly/4w7f2Gy

If you experience any difficulties accessing the journal through the website, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

We hope you enjoy this latest issue of the FEA Journal.

Vol. 69, No.3

05/07/2026

Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight | National Black Teacher Appreciation Day (May 7)

FEA Member Spotlight: Dr. Michael A. Pope

This Teacher Appreciation Week, FEA is proud to highlight Dr. Michael A. Pope, a middle school science teacher at Zama American Middle-High School and a National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee.

Dr. Pope centers his teaching on student agency, global relevance, and personal connection. His induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame reflects not only his individual achievement, but the collective impact of students and educators, especially within DoDEA.

Drawing on experiences like his Fulbright fellowship and NEA Global Learning Fellowship, he developed the G.L.P. (Global, Local, Personal) model to make learning meaningful and student-driven. He also emphasizes the “power of one,” believing that a single teacher can profoundly shape a student’s life.

In recognition of National Black Teacher Appreciation Day on Thursday, May 7, we also celebrate Dr. Pope as part of the legacy and continued impact of Black educators who lead, innovate, and inspire across our schools and communities. His work reflects the excellence, care, and commitment that define the profession.

Through practices like ethical gamification, Dr. Pope helps students become confident thinkers and problem-solvers, while encouraging fellow educators to embrace growth, lifelong learning, and meaningful connection.

Read more from the National Teachers Hall of Fame: https://bit.ly/4cICiCP

Learn more about NTHF and upcoming events: https://bit.ly/3OVFdQI

Want to be featured in the FEA newsletter or Spring Journal? Email [email protected] with a photo and a few details.

05/05/2026

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Day on Tuesday, May 5, FEA is proud to spotlight Jessica Yucel, named DoDEA-Europe West Teacher of the Year.

Jessica teaches English and Social Studies at Spangdahlem High School in Germany, where her work reflects a deep commitment to student growth, academic excellence, and meaningful engagement in the classroom. This recognition highlights not only her teaching, but the broader impact of educators who lead with purpose both inside and beyond their schools.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Jessica serves as the Europe-West District Representative for FEA. In this role, she advocates for educators, supports colleagues, and helps strengthen the professional community across the region. She sees union membership as a way to elevate the profession, build solidarity, and ensure that strong teaching and strong advocacy go hand in hand.

As a DoDEA graduate, being named Europe West Teacher of the Year is especially meaningful to Jessica. It represents a full-circle moment that connects her own experience as a student to the work she now does to support and empower the next generation.

For Jessica, this recognition is both humbling and motivating. She views it not as a finish line, but as a platform to continue growing, refining her practice, and contributing to a profession she cares deeply about. She is proud to represent her district, her students, and her colleagues.

If you’d like to spotlight yourself or a colleague in the FEA newsletter or Spring Journal, please email [email protected] with a photo and a few details.

05/04/2026

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor the educators who show up every day with care, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their students.

At FEA, we know that behind every lesson plan, every late night, and every moment of encouragement is a professional who believes deeply in the power of education. Your work shapes lives, strengthens communities, and builds the future.

Union membership is part of that impact. It’s how we stand together, support one another, and ensure that educators are respected, protected, and heard.

To every FEA member, thank you for the work you do and the difference you make. 💙📚

04/29/2026

FEA Member Spotlight: Joshua Kaufman

Joshua Kaufman is a Math Support Specialist at The Sullivans School in Yokosuka, Japan, where he has spent nearly two decades helping students engage with math in meaningful and accessible ways. His teaching centers on building true understanding, encouraging students to think critically rather than rely on memorization.

As part of the Pacific Area Subject Matter Experts, Joshua contributes to a “Professional Development For Us By Us” model that emphasizes teacher-led learning and gives educators a stronger voice in their professional growth.

He specializes in Math Talks, an approach that builds conceptual understanding, strengthens mental math skills, and encourages all students to participate. His work has made a broad impact, including the creation of a math support website used by over 11,000 educators across DoDEA schools and leading professional development for fellow teachers.

Joshua’s dedication to student engagement and educator collaboration reflects the power of teacher-driven innovation in education.

Josh was originally featured in FEA's weekly newsletter. If you missed it please email us at [email protected] to join our mailing list.

Also If you’d like to spotlight yourself or someone else in the weekly FEA newsletter or the upcoming Spring Journal, please reach out to us at [email protected] with a photo and a few details.

04/23/2026

FEA's Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) and the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) will take place from June 30 to July 8, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.

The AMM is where FEA members come together to discuss organizational business, set priorities, and address issues impacting members across DoDEA. It provides an opportunity for members to engage directly in the governance and direction of FEA. NEA leadership often attends this meeting to deliver updates and offer support to members.

The NEA RA is the largest democratic deliberative body in the country, where elected delegates from across the nation set policy and guide the direction of NEA.

If you are interested in attending the AMM as a non-delegate, please email us at [email protected] for more information.

Key Dates
June 30: Arrival / Free AFSPA Reception
July 1-2: FEA Annual Membership Meeting
July 3-7: NEA Representative Assembly (Registration on July 3)
July 8: Departure

If you have any questions or are interested in attending the FEA Annual Membership Meeting as a non-delegate, please contact [email protected].