FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 15, 2016) -- The Department of Defense Education Activity Teacher of the Year Kelisa Wing began her eclectic educational journey in 2006 while stationed in Germany with her husband.

"I started substitute teaching. Following that, I began working as a school secretary and later as an administrative officer. In 2011, I was a student teacher in 11th- and 12th-grade English at Vilseck High School in Germany," said Wing.

Wing said that working in all of these different areas throughout a number of schools has given her a greater appreciation for every person within the school. She came to Faith Middle School in 2012 to teach eighth-grade Language Arts.

While at Faith Middle School, Wing was named the 2016-2017 Georgia-Alabama District Teacher of the Year.

"After I was selected as the District Teacher of the Year, I was invited to submit a DoDEA Teacher of the Year packet. Much like the District Teacher of the Year process, I had to write an essay. Only for this one, I had to write two additional essays. I also had to submit a video of myself teaching," Wing explained.

The top candidates were interviewed by a selected panel of DoDEA leadership that included the current teacher of the year. It was a very rigorous process, she added.

DoDEA made the official announcement June 9.

Wing spoke of her accomplishment saying, "It is difficult to put into words. I have to give honor to God and my Family because I am nothing without them. I come to work early and stay late everyday. My Family sacrifices so much so I can do this effectively."

Wing also talked about those who have helped her along the way.

"This took a village. I had platoon sergeants who would bring me in from field exercises so I could go to school during my time in the military. I would sit in class wearing a dirty uniform and muddy boots, hard at work toward becoming a teacher. So this is for the ones who helped me, my husband, my children, my students, my colleagues, my brothers and sisters in arms, my family and my church family," she said.

Wing described her most important job as an educator saying, "I want to help students discover their purpose and assist them in creating whatever pathway leads them to achieving their goals. Ultimately, I strive to help students become good people who value themselves and others. I want them to understand that we are better together and we need each other to achieve our goals."

Wing's biggest hope for her students is success.

"I want them to thrive in this world. I want them to remember that even during the hardest of times, they matter and nothing is impossible to those who believe," she said.

She hopes they take away from her class not just how to write properly, but how to treat people and love others, how to be respectful even if that respect is not returned.

"Those are the skills we work on each day in addition to the content - kindness, patience, love, grace, mercy - that's what they need to be successful adults - that's the stuff that sticks," Wing said.

As DoDEA Teacher of the Year, Wing will attend the National Teacher of the Year Conference in Arizona. She will also participate in other formal Teacher of the Year events.

"Although I will be out of my classroom quite a bit next school year, what I will gain during that time will benefit my students for years to come," said Wing.

As DoDEA Teacher of the Year, Wing is also eligible to compete for National Teacher of the Year.