Thomas R.E. Waters Advertisement

Lt. Col. Thomas R.E. Waters wasn't about to go into retirement from the Air Force after 32 years too easy, so he decided to teach instead.

But he didn't start his teaching career at a traditional school -- instead he became a teacher for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) department, which coordinates and manages the education programs for DoD schools the world over.

The student population at DoDEA schools is made up of military and civilian dependents from the pre-kindergarten level to 12^th grade; essentially, usually the family of military personnel.

It took less than a decade for Waters to be named Assistant Principal of the Year for the Elementary and Middle School level by DoDEA.

The award took Waters by surprise.

"I didn't know I was selected at the local district level," Waters said.

"Then the principal told me, 'I think you got it,' and then I got a call from the director in Arlington, Virginia congratulating me."

"To be selected is quite an honor," the Purple Heart veteran added.

Waters began his teaching career in September 1998 teaching employment practicum at Ansbach Middle School in Germany.

Two years later, he became assistant principle of Ramstein Middle School in Ramstein, Germany, and last year took the same position at Ramstein High School.

"And I've enjoyed every minute of it," Waters, who is looking forward to his second year at the high school to begin in the fall, said.

Being an educator at DoD schools presents its own unique advantages and challenges.

On the one hand, because the majority of students' parents are on the range, and there are almost no unemployed parents.

As such, Waters is able to keep in close contact with parents and ensure their involvement in their child's education.

"When I compare myself to educators in other states, I look at what they have to deal with, metal detectors and shootings ... and I know we can handle what we have to deal with," Waters said.

However, educating the children of active military personnel brings with it unique challenges to overcome as well.

"Having parents on the range has an entirely separate impact on the kids," Waters explained. "For example, if you have a kid who suddenly goes from being a straight-A student to failing, usually their parent is deployed, and that's one of the first things you look for."

Waters' approach to being an educator is fairly straightforward.

He doesn't like to suspend students, because he feels that taking them out of school isn't the answer. Instead, he'd rather they be made to do something they would rather not do.

"Don't cut their legs off when they make a mistake," Waters said. "They're kids, and kids are going to make mistakes."

But he's still a firm believer in discipline, and believes that's exactly what his job is. "Teachers are there to teach and not be disciplinarians," Waters said. "The kids don't want to come back to my office."

And he's effective.

One former student sent him a note thanking him and telling him that the detention Waters gave him was in fact deserved.

Although he's been offered the position of principal many times, Waters has never accepted it for a number of reasons.

After all, the thing he loves most about his job is "working with the kids and being able to teach them values," he explained.

In addition, he likes being in a position where the principal of the school can focus on the more "heavy stuff," like ensuring the school is ready for accreditation.

"I felt if I was the principal, I would almost micromanage the assistant principal," Waters added.

Educating isn't an entirely new bailiwick for Waters, however.

While in the Air Force, he was always teaching, whether it was officers or airmen. He also taught at his church.

When he's not working at the DoDEA's largest high school, with 1,000 students, Waters and his wife enjoy living in Pahrump.

"Six years ago we didn't know what Pahrump was," Waters said. "Now we love Pahrump."