SECTIONAL OFFICERS

Deborah earned a degree in elementary education from Glassboro State College (Rowan University). Upon graduation in 1974, she returned to East Orange to fulfill her desire of teaching. After employment in the Newark School District, Deborah returned to East Orange in September 1977 where she began 38 years of molding young minds at Elmwood School (Langston Hughes School). She retired from the East Orange School District in June 2015.

Deborah is an advocate for public education. As an active member of the East Orange Education Association, she held the positions of secretary, chair of the Instruction & Training Committee, a member of the Negotiations Team, and a member of the East Orange District Evaluation Advisory Committee. As a member of the Essex County Education Association Executive Board, Deborah chaired the Minority Leadership & Recruitment Committee. She was also Essex County’s representative on the New Jersey Education Association’s Minority Leadership & Recruitment Committee. During retirement, Deborah continues to advocate for public education. She is a member of the National Education Association-Retied, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Retirees’ Education Association, and the Essex County Retirees Education Association where she has served as corresponding secretary, and currently serves as president. She is also a member of the New Jersey Orators Executive Board serving as secretary. 

Deborah joined the National Association of University Women (NAUW) in January 2009. She served two years as first vice president, four years as president, and three years as the treasurer of the Plainfield-Brunswick Branch of NAUW. She was appointed Lay Member of the NAUW Northeast Section in December 2018. During the NAUW Northeast Sectional Conference in October 2021, Deborah was elected the NAUW Northeast Sectional Director. 

She has been married to her best friend for 39 years. Her faith in God and the love and support from her husband Everett has given her strength throughout the years.

Deborah strongly believes that “to whom much is given much is required.”