U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Paul LaCamera and his wife, Theresa LaCamera, pose with award winners from Department of Defense Education Activity’s Pacific West district at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Friday, May 19, 2023. From left to right, the LaCameras, district superintendent Jacob Sherwood; Seong Yeon Park, of the student transportation office; Juliana Wish, administrative support assistant for Humphreys West Elementary School; Sara Mayer, math teacher at Osan Middle High School; and Mandy Schwerdt-Johnson, principal at Humphreys High School. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Four educators and school employees from U.S. military bases in South Korea were recognized for going “above and beyond to impact the lives” of their students during an emotional ceremony here on Friday.
Roughly 200 people attended the gathering at Paik Auditorium inside the headquarters of U.S. Forces Korea as the command honored educators from the Department of Defense Education Activity-Pacific West.
DoDEA-Pacific West is responsible for educating approximately 7,000 students from 12 schools in South Korea and Guam. DODEA, as a whole, operates 160 schools in seven states, 11 foreign countries and Puerto Rico, according to its website.
Sarah Mayer of Osan Middle High School was named the district’s teacher of the year for implementing technology in the classroom to create “innovative lessons that are highly engaging and challenging for her students,” according to her award.
Mandy Schwerdt-Johnson of Humphreys High School was named principal of the year for “being organized and managing her time and her staff efficiently while still working tirelessly,” according to her award.
Juliana Wish of Humphreys West Elementary School was named school level/support staff employee of the year for contributions ranging from streamlining registration processes to automating rotations for substitute teachers.
Seong Yeon Park was named office-level employee of the year for managing 43 commercial buses and 24 government buses that take students to and from school.
U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Paul LaCamera presents a principal of the year award to Mandy Schwerdt-Johnson of Humphreys High School at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Friday, May 19, 2023. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)
“The role of teachers has always been the key to building a brighter tomorrow,” said USFK commander Gen. Paul LaCamera, who oversees approximately 28,500 U.S. troops in South, told the gathering.
“Our DODEA schools have an amazing reputation and that’s because of you and your commitment,” LaCamera said. “The military depends on you … to take care of our children so that we can take care of our mission.”
LaCamera paused as he became visibly emotional.
“While the ceremony recognizes just a few of our educators, I speak for all the service members, civilians and families saying, ‘We appreciate everything that you do,’” he said. “If you can’t tell, it’s a little near and dear to my heart.”
DODEA-Pacific West’s teachers have a reputation for being “resilient and kind,” district superintendent Jacob Sherwood said at the ceremony.
“I see that they all go above and beyond to serve our students,” he told Stars and Stripes. “They really try to put students at the center of what we do.”
Sherwood recalled how a kindergarten student was left out as his classmates picked their partners for a classroom activity.
It became “visibly obvious that this kindergartener had become upset,” Sherwood said.
The teacher sprang into action and became the student’s partner.
“You can tell his face went from near tears to a beaming smile,” Sherwood said. “And that’s what we do on a daily basis.”
