Mr. John Zesiger named Principal of Baumholder Middle High School

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Dr. Louis D’Angelo, superintendent for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Europe Central District, announced the selection of Mr. John Zesiger as the new principal of Baumholder Middle High School.

Zesiger brings a wealth of experience in education leadership, professional development, and instructional improvement from both stateside and international contexts. Prior to this appointment, he served as Assistant Principal at Wiesbaden High School, and before that, as a Professional Development Specialist with the DoDEA Americas Center for Instructional Leadership (CIL), where he supported school and district leaders through systemic leadership coaching and innovative instructional practices.

“Mr. Zesiger brings deep knowledge of school leadership, instructional coaching, and student support,” D’Angelo said. “He is a collaborative and mission-focused leader with a strong commitment to student achievement and educator development. We are excited to welcome him to the Baumholder Middle High School community.”

Zesiger began his career as a middle school social studies teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and went on to serve the district for more than a decade in a range of roles, including District Coordinator for Secondary School Transformation and Turnaround, and District Coordinator for Student Support and 504 Teams. In these positions, he led teams focused on academic interventions, instructional leadership, and systems of student support across multiple secondary schools.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and German Studies from The College of Wooster, a Master of Arts in Teaching from The Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Towson University.

Zesiger brings with him a strong belief in the power of community, teamwork, and high expectations. His career has been grounded in helping educators grow, improving student outcomes, and building strong school cultures that celebrate success and support growth.

Outside of school, Zesiger enjoys hiking, playing soccer and baseball with his sons, cooking with his wife, and spending time in the snowy alps during the winter season. He and his family are looking forward to becoming an active part of the Baumholder community.