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Editorial Board

Dr. Claire Smith
Serving 2024–2028
Washington, USA

Degrees and Certifications
• BA: Psychology and German
• BA (Hons): Psychology
• MEd: Guidance & Counseling
• EdD: Educational Leadership (Curriculum)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (UK teaching credentials)
• Endorsements in World Languages and ESL/Bilingual

Areas of Interest/Research:
• World Languages Pedagogy
• Comparative Education
• Psycholinguistics
• Translation & Interpretation
• Classroom Assessment

In many ways, Dr. Claire Smith embodies the “international” in DKG. Before moving to the United States, she lived
in England, then Australia, and finally South America. Since childhood, Smith has been fascinated with languages,
both modern and classical. She spent more than 30 years teaching world languages. In retirement, Smith volunteers
her time mentoring teachers and coaching languages. She applied for appointment to the DKG editorial board
because of her own lifelong passion for writing and out of a desire to help DKG colleagues, especially those from
outside the United States, to become published authors.
Dr. Judith R. Merz, Editor
Serving 2006–present
Nevada, USA

Degrees and Certifications
• BA: English, Secondary Education
• MA: English
• MEd: Student Personnel Services
• EdD: Educational Leadership
• Principal
• Chief School Administrator

Areas of Interest/Research:
• School/Business Partnerships
• Professional Development
• Leadership Styles
• Learning Styles
• Quality Management

A retired superintendent of schools and dissertation advisor, Dr. Merz has been editor of the DKG Bulletin since 2010
and spearheaded development of the Collegial Exchange. She served as Communications and Marketing Consultant
to two DKG Administrative Boards (2015–2017) and was subsequently asked to serve as Interim Executive Director
(2017–2018) and Interim Membership Director (2018) with the goal of consolidating Headquarters organization and
mentoring upcoming administrators. Recipient of the 2019 International Achievement Award and passionate about

56 · Volume 91-4