A professionally trained conflict advisor and teacher advocates for integrating formal conflict mentoring into public education, emphasizing proactive teaching of conflict understanding and resolution to create safer schools and prepare students for peaceful problem-solving.
Her Story
About Deborah
I am currently a middle school English and Language Arts teacher. Prior to transitioning into the classroom, I spent more than twenty-five years in the corporate world, where my work focused on international development,
conflict resolution, and education in global contexts.
I am the daughter and granddaughter of educators, and I have been inspired by the many teachers in my family who continue to do phenomenal work. Their example helped guide my decision to teach. I wanted to invest in the future, and I believe that investing in children is one of the most meaningful ways to do that. For me, teaching is also a way to contribute directly to domestic education.
Beyond teaching, I am also a children’s book author with two published books and a third in progress. My first book and its accompanying workbook focus on diversity, conflict, change, differences, and helping children view the world through a more positive lens. The workbook includes components for parents and students, along with STEM-based exercises.
My third book is centered on giving children a voice on peace. It invites them to draw pictures, color, or write poems, which I then compile into a book that reflects their ideas and creativity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith is central to who I am. It grounds me in perseverance, focused prayer, and a deep commitment to building a meaningful legacy. I understand that my life has the power to impact others, and when I think about the story I want to leave behind,
I am reminded of a quote I once heard: “Live your life doing things that will long outlast you.” Contributing to the future, modeling persistence for others, and embracing the power of perseverance motivate me each day.
I also attribute much of my success to my two wonderful parents, who expected excellence, modeled it, and lived a life of service. My late mother was an old-school educator who taught for thirty-seven years. Her pursuit of excellence shaped the standards she instilled in both my brother and me.
I am also a published children’s book author whose work is available on Amazon. Through my books, I seek to empower children by helping them build the skills they need to become stronger critical thinkers. My titles include The Diverse Universe Book and The Diverse Universe Activity Book.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Find your “it”—the work, purpose, or passion that brings out your best—and commit to doing it well. Be willing to go the extra mile with integrity, and remember the power of a smile, even in the midst of a challenging day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Know yourself. Know who you are, what makes you happy, and what you have to offer. Be prepared to embrace the word perseverance. A lot of young people say this isn't happening fast enough, and I think we're all guilty of that, but as you get older, you grow wiser, and you really embrace the fact that things don't always happen overnight. Have a game plan, but when you put that game plan together, be sure that it's realistic. You're not going to step into fame or fortune immediately. Keep in mind there is a bigger picture, but if you're doing it just for fame and fortune, in the long run, and maybe the not-so-long run, it just won't be as rewarding. Let what you do reflect who you are, what your true gifts and talents are. Know yourself. That's really important getting into today's work world. I think you have to know who you are first, and then you have to find a way to kind of be creative in the job market as well. Maybe you don't find a traditional job, but maybe you can do your own thing. It's just really imperative to know who you are, because knowing who you are, instead of going with what's hot today, that's where you're going to find yourself for the long term. We all want financial comfort and self-worth, but that's where you're going to make the most money, whatever you like, you enjoy. And whatever you enjoy, you can find a way to make ethically and legitimately money.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the field of education, like any other career field, is budget cuts and retention of committed staff (the kind of go hand in hand).
I also write and publish children's books. Since I am not strong with self-publishing, I have an editor, who is beyond excellent but I also have to pay her for her expertise and that can get expense, thereby limiting the number
of books that I write and publish.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value family time. If I am there for my family, they will be there for me. I value time to enjoy cool crisp windy days, a walk in the park, enjoying watching the waves in the ocean. I value "me" time and at this point in my life,
flexibility in everything that I do. I also value good health.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Deborah
Advocating for the Future
Building Safer Schools Through Formal Conflict Mentoring Programs
Advocating for the Future
As a professionally trained formal conflict advisor and a public-school teacher, I feel that now is the time for school leaders, policymakers, educators, families, and community partners to work together to make conflict mentoring a formal part of public education. We must move beyond simply reacting to conflict and begin teaching students how to understand it, manage it, and grow from it. By investing in formal conflict mentoring programs, our schools can help build safer learning environments, stronger relationships, and a generation of students prepared to resolve conflict with wisdom, respect, and accountability.
In my quest to get the ball rolling, I have published conflict books for children as young as six years old to help them become thoughtful problem-solvers and responsible citizens. If we truly want students to grow in this way, we must give them more than consequences after conflict occurs—we must provide guidance before, during, and after conflict happens. A formal conflict mentoring program is not just another school initiative; it is an investment in safer schools, healthier communities, and a more peaceful future for our children.
Discover practical strategies for managing classroom conflict and fostering a respectful learning environment through effective communication, clear expectations, and positive classroom culture.
Addressing Classroom Conflict Productively
Practical strategies for creating a respectful learning environment and resolving disputes effectively.
Addressing Classroom Conflict Productively
As a middle school teacher, I know that conflict is a regular part of classroom life. While disagreements are inevitable, they can disrupt learning when they are not addressed thoughtfully and consistently.
As a new school year begins, the following strategies can help teachers create a calmer, more respectful classroom environment and respond to conflicts in productive ways.
Build Communication Skills
- Encourage active listening. Help students move beyond simply hearing one another's words by teaching them to focus, ask clarifying questions, and listen to understand.
- Use calm, respectful communication. Model and encourage language that allows students to express concerns without aggression, blame, or escalation.
Set Clear Classroom Expectations
- Develop classroom expectations collaboratively. Work with students to establish clear, consistent, and realistic expectations so they feel shared, understood, and meaningful.
- Model respectful behavior. Demonstrate patience, fairness, and respect through both your words and your actions, especially during challenging moments.
- Reinforce expectations consistently. State expectations clearly, revisit them regularly, and apply them fairly so students understand what is expected and why it matters.
Strengthen Classroom Culture
- Celebrate student progress. Recognize accomplishments—both large and small—to reinforce positive behavior, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging.
Respond Thoughtfully as the Teacher
- Know your own emotional triggers. Recognize the situations that may cause frustration so you can respond intentionally rather than react impulsively.
Here's to a great school year!
Explore how leading with dignity is essential to resolving conflict peacefully. Discover the power of respect, objectivity, and inclusion in transforming disagreements into meaningful dialogue.
Can We Find Dignity in Conflict?
Finding respect and validation as the foundation for peaceful resolution.
Can We Find Dignity in Conflict?
Being able to lead with dignity is critical to the successful resolution of conflict. The path to peace is found through dignity.
What Is Dignity, and What Do We Find in It?
Dignity: Being worthy of respect.
When we lead with dignity, we become better able to remain objective. Through objectivity, we can exercise greater fairness and reduce the fear of humiliation.
We help others feel validated by acknowledging their right to hold their own unique perspective, provided it is not intentionally harmful to others, either mentally or physically.
Dignity creates an atmosphere of inclusion. When I actively listen to what another person has to say, I am offering them a seat at the table—mentally, physically, or both.
Let us strive to respond with dignity and respect, even in moments of conflict.
We all deserve to live with dignity and to be treated with dignity.
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