Ms. Boles has 16 years of teaching experience, and for the past 8 years, she has taught 4th and 5th grade students in DoDEA schools in Belgium and in Germany. Prior to joining DoDEA, Ms. Boles taught at Collinswood Elementary School and Quail Hollow Middle School, both located in Charlotte, N.C. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She received her Master's Degree in Education Curriculum/Instruction: Reading in 2006 from Grand Canyon University.

Maintaining high expectations for each student, teaching with multiple learning styles as a guide, and using her own experiences and hobbies as a resource, Ms. Boles devises real world lessons for her students, including those who are struggling to learn. A student states, "Ms. Boles supports us personally and educationally, not to mention encouraging us to strive for success. But, most of all, she gives us the feeling of everything is possible."

Ms. Stallings has 8 years of teaching experience. She has been teaching 6th and 7th grade math and science for all of those eight years at Heidelberg Middle School in Heidelberg, Germany. Ms. Stallings is a graduate of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., earning her Bachelor of Science in Education and a Computer Science Certification. She is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Wisconsin Stout University.

Ms. Stallings believes that extra-curricular activities such as Odyssey of the Mind, E-cybermission, Student Council, and Honors Band, to name a few, give students an opportunity to shine while being challenged. She also believes extra-curricular activities help shape a child and give them experiences to learn beyond the classroom. A father writes, "Our daughter, Jamie, showed very little interest in science but now considers it one of her favorite subjects. Ms. Stallings volunteers hundreds of hours from her weekends and time after school to nurture students' curiosity...to find solutions to how natural and manmade objects work."

Ms. Arroyo has 14 years of teaching experience. She has been a Special Education Teacher for the past 7 years with DoDEA schools, serving at Kinnick High School, in Yokosuka, Japan; Yokosuka Middle School; Lakenheath Elementary School, Lakenheath, U.K.; and at Lakenheath Middle School. Prior to joining DoDEA, Ms. Arroyo taught at Larrymore Elementary School in Norfolk, Va.; Rancho San Joaquin Middle School in Irvine, Calif.; James Hurst Elementary School in Portsmouth, Va.; Bayview Christian School in Norfolk, Va.; and Portsmouth RE-ED in Portsmouth, Va. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mary Baldwin College and her Master of Science Degree in Education from Old Dominion University. She also holds a credential in Reading Instruction from the University of San Diego and a credential in Severe and Multiple Disabilities from the University of Phoenix.

Ms. Arroyo believes diversity makes American schools unique and beautiful and that stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and skills can provide a well-rounded vision that benefits all students. Colleagues praise Ms. Arroyo for her advocacy for students with disabilities. "Lisa always tries to find ways to educate others about children with special needs. Her informational lunches are quick and to the point and I learn something each time."

Mr. Marvel has 31 years of teaching experience. He has been teaching music in DoDEA schools for the past 7 years, at Bahrain High School and at Naples High School in Naples, Italy. Prior to joining DoDEA, Mr. Marvel taught music at Al Hekma International School in Bahrain; Hedgesville High School, Shepherd College, Berkeley Springs High School, and Paw Paw High School in West Virginia; and at Bruton High School in Virginia. He was also a fine arts coordinator with the Berkeley Board of Education. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Shepherd College and his Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from James Madison University.

"People learn by seeing the relevance of education to their everyday life." These words, spoken by John Dewey many years ago, lead Mr. Marvel to remind us as educators how essential it is to make our subject matter relevant to the needs of students in the 21st century. A student describes Mr. Marvel as an "exceptional teacher" who inspired him to follow in his footsteps. "Since the moment Mr. Marvel set foot in Naples, he set to work to improve the school's music program, organizing DoDDS-Europe's first and only student marching band. Respected by his peers and beloved by his students, Mr. Marvel epitomizes all that a teacher should be."