Director of K-12 Initiatives – North Chicago
Debra serves as the Director of K-12 Initiatives for North Chicago. In that role, she supports all Kindergarten through 12th grade students by collaborating with the North Chicago School District 187 team and other school leaders in North Chicago to identify ways to support students in meeting and exceeding grade level benchmarks.
Prior to joining the Steans Family Foundation, Debra served as the Principal of Shields Middle School, a Chicago Public School in the Brighton Park neighborhood, from 2017-2024. Before that, she was an Assistant Principal and a Resident Principal in Chicago Public Schools. Debra has over ten years of experience as a middle school teacher. Her educational journey highlights her commitment to continuous learning and leadership in education—and her experience as a teacher, assistant principal, resident principal, and as a principal demonstrates her progression and dedication to improving educational outcomes.
Debra earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Arts Degree in Reading from Northeastern University, a Master of Arts Degree in School Leadership from Concordia University, and, most recently, a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry from Illinois State University.
Debra lives in Chicago and enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.