 Profile
After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, Debbie Straughn became an elementary school teacher, teaching kindergarten through fourth grades in the Putnam County and Oklahoma City Public School Systems. She didn't stop there. After receiving her Master's degree in education, she began to work as an assistant principal in Putnam City. From there she became the principal of Deer Creek Elementary School in Edmond, in 1995.
2003 was a big year for Debbie Straughn. She was honored as Oklahoma Public Service Administrator of the Year, as well as the District 7A Principal of the Year for Deer Creek, Putnam City, Bethany, Edmond, and Western Heights. Then, in November of that year, the National Southwest Region honored her as Principal of the Year.
Another high point in her career came when she was presented with the “Take Pride in America Award” At the White House in 2005. This was in recognition of Deer Creek Elementary School’s designation as the school “best exemplifying ingenuity and creativity in carrying out the goals of the Take Pride in America Program”. This program encourages volunteers to work on the maintenance of America’s public lands, so as to provide Americans with information and instruction on the use and preservation of our natural beauty, as well as our cultural history.
She works with teachers as well as with students. As part of the Great Expectations Program, she helps teachers from all levels acquire professional development in classroom dynamics and new strategies in dealing with the 21st century classroom. She stresses techniques for creating harmony and clarity in the classroom communication as being the building blocks for creating a nurturing environment in which the student can achieve academic excellence.
Debbie Straughn’s work is as fulfilling to others as it is to her.
|
|
