Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has replaced the director of the school system serving military-connected children worldwide, marking a significant leadership transition for the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Defense officials announced Feb. 20 that Beth Schiavino-Narvaez will step down as DODEA director on March 6. Paul Craft, a retired Army colonel, will assume the role effective March 9. No reason was provided for the change.
In announcing Craft’s appointment, Hegseth framed the decision as part of a broader effort to refocus educational priorities within the Department of Defense.
“He is the right leader to swiftly reorient [DOD] towards patriotic values and classical learning, consistent with the Department’s focus on merit, standards, and excellence,” Hegseth said.
DODEA operates 161 schools serving more than 67,000 students across 11 countries, seven U.S. states, and two territories. The system provides K-12 education to children of active-duty service members and certain Defense Department civilians. It has also expanded universal pre-kindergarten to nearly all its elementary schools.
Defense officials emphasized a continued focus on “embracing the fundamentals of excellence in education,” including parental transparency, high expectations for students, strong teaching staff, and rigorous curriculum standards.
“When our warriors sign up to serve, we commit to taking care of them and their families,” Hegseth said. “Paul is going to guide the K-12 transformation required to deliver on this promise, providing our military-connected children with the best possible education and opportunities.”
Craft brings 31 years of service in the Ohio Army National Guard, along with experience in public education leadership. Most recently, he served as Ohio’s superintendent for public instruction, overseeing licensure for more than 350,000 individuals. His background includes work as a physics teacher and coach, as well as superintendent roles at Buckeye Valley Local Schools and Delaware City Schools in Ohio.
Pentagon officials said Craft offers “a unique combination of military command and education experience.” Hegseth described him as “a seasoned executive with a strong track record of elevating organizations.”
The leadership change comes as DODEA students continue to perform strongly on national assessments. In recent years, they have ranked at or near the top nationwide on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, including continued gains in reading and math in 2025. The NAEP is the only nationally representative assessment measuring student achievement across subject areas.
In January 2025, Schiavino-Narvaez praised students and staff following the latest NAEP results.
“I am delighted that DODEA has once again performed exceptionally well on the National Assessment of Educational Progress,” she said. “Credit for this success belongs to our incredible teachers, administrators, and staff of DODEA, and most importantly to our students and their families.”
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata thanked Schiavino-Narvaez for her service, noting her support in facilitating a seamless transition.
Some military family advocates told Military Times they are watching the shift closely, particularly in light of the administration’s emphasis on patriotic values and classical learning. Libby Jamison of Military Families for Free Expression said military-connected students already live patriotism daily and emphasized the need for steady leadership and academic freedom.
As Craft prepares to take the helm, attention will focus on how the department’s stated priorities translate into policy and classroom practice across the globally dispersed system serving America’s military families.