Mr. Steven Smith

I am excited to begin my 3rd year on the Brussels Elementary High School team. I continue to be committed to being a member and leader of an educational system that provides students with a rigorous, relevant, and engaging academic experience. I believe the power of teamwork, community partnership, student-centered learning, and communication are the keys to providing the right opportunities for student and educator success.

For the past 13 years, I have been privileged to be a part of the DoDEA Europe East and DoDEA Europe West teams.

I was born in Hollywood, California and lived in and around the Los Angeles area until graduating high school. After graduation, I joined and spent nearly 12 years in the United States Air Force. Assignments included New York, Germany, California, and Okinawa, Japan. In 1992 I was honorably discharged from the Air Force as an Instructor In-Flight Refueling Boom Operator. From the day I entered USAF instructor Flight School, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. After leaving the Air Force, I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Studies at the University of Maryland in Tokyo, Japan. I went on to complete my California Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, Leadership, and Policy Studies at the California State University, Bakersfield and Northridge campuses.

My teaching experiences include being an instructor in the USAF, 12 years with LAUSD, and the past 13 years in DoDEA. While in Los Angeles, I taught at both the middle and high school levels. Teaching assignments included AP Computer Science, Computer Applications, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and JROTC. I also worked as a literacy coach, state testing coordinator, and lead teacher at several middle and high schools all before I joined DoDEA in 2011.

My wife, Veronica, is also a DoDEA educator. We have been married for 32 years and met during my assignment to Okinawa, Japan where she was a DoDEA teacher. She has 20+ years as an elementary and middle school teacher, coach, and interventionist. Our daughter, Dakota, graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2021 with a degree in dance, theater studies, and costume design. She currently lives in New York City and is living her best dance and “Broadway” life! Our son, Hunter, graduated from Ramstein High School in 2021, is an avid skateboarder, and is now attending the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and is studying communications and entrepreneurship.

Veronica and I enjoy family time, traveling, cooking, entertaining, and exploring new destinations! Have a great school year!