Board Member, PCOC, present

School Board Member, Polk County Schools, 2010-2014

Member, Gang Task Force, 2015- present

Member, Homeless Task Force, 2015-present

Former Writer/ Editorial Contributor, The Banner Newspaper

Mentor/ Principal, New Teacher Hires, Polk County Public Schools, 2014-2015

Weekly Radio Show Host, WSIR Radio, 2013-2014

Weekly Radio Show Host, WWAB Radio, 2012-2014

Educational Consultant, Cumberland County Schools, 2010-2011

Administrator, Wright on Time, 2008-2010

Adjunct Professor, Belize Presbyterian University, 2007

Chief Executive Officer/ Principal Consultant, EMJ Educational Consulting Services, 2005-2007

Southern Regional Leadership Administrator/Trainer, Florida Department of Education Initiative, 2004-2007

Educational Consultant, Lake Wales Charter District, 2004-2005

Broward County Schools, Principal on Assignment, 2002-2004

Principal, Socrum Elementary School; Winston Elementary School, 1992-2003

Principal, Polk Schools, 1996-2002

Assistant Principal, Polk Schools, 1993-1996

Adjunct Professor, Florida Southern College, 1990-1994

Assistant Principal, Socrum Elementary School, 1989-1992

Teacher, Winston Elementary, 1982-1989

Music Teacher, Griffin Elementary School; North Lakeland Elementary School, 1974-1984

Teacher, Polk Schools, 1974-1976

Supervisor, Head Start, 1974

Member, Bright Threads, 2016- present

Board Member, Clint Wright Foundation, present

Board Member, Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation, present

Board Member, League of Women Voters, present

Leader, Girl Scouts, 1986-89

Board Member, Explorations V Children's Museum, 1996-2002

Board Member, Youth for Christ, 1993-1996

Awards:

"She Knows Where She's Going" -- Girls Incorporated
Polk Education Association -- Outstanding Educator
100 Women's Club -- Outstanding Women of Polk County
Eckerd's 100 Women Award -- Volunteer
Commissioner's Award for Outstanding Leadership (Principal) -- Region 4
NAACP Unsung Hero Award
Commissioner's Award for Outstanding (Principal) Leadership, Region 4
Recognized as Outstanding Technology Leader for District

Priority Issues:

DEBRA SUPPORTS:

* Extending Early Childhood Education to all four-year olds.
* Making College education affordable for all.
* Giving more emphasis toward recruiting and retaining quali ed teachers for Florida's Schools.
* Restoring the Special Education diploma for Florida Schools.
* Giving more local control of education -- what is taught and what and how it is tested.
* Increasing wireless hubs so that no one in the community will be left behind.
* Ensuring responsible and continuing development in our area of Florida.
* Attracting and retaining highly skilled and technological jobs in our state, especially in the Central Florida area is essential.