Awards & Publications

HONORS, AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS

(UPDATED: April 2008)

2008 Selected to Emcee Global Day of Prayer at Busch Stadium, St. Louis

2008 Published in The Power of Words, by Bethany House

2007 National Award finalist for Cable in the Classroom

2007 Published in Celebrating Mothers and Daughters

2007 Host of new weekly television program on WTJR-TV: The Outreach Connection

2006 Inducted into Midwest Education Hall of Fame

2006 Selected as Presenter for the Midwest Regional Emmy Awards

2006 Story published by Bethany House: The Embrace of a Father

2005 Story published in Chicken Soup For The Grandma’s Soul

2005 Television pilot for God Allows U-Turns

2005 Selected as presenter for the National Federation of Press Women’s Conference, “Getting Published.”

2005 Featured on TCT Television internationally in 170 different countries

2004 TBN Television interview with interpreter in El Salvador to 25 countries,

2004 Ten Year Service Award as adjunct professor at Webster University

2004 Selected for Board of Directors, National Speakers Association, St. Louis Chapter.

2004 Monthly columnist for St. Louis newspaper

2004 Biography published in anthology: Women Serving Women.

2003 Featured on national Christian television program, On Main Street

2003 Story published in Living Your Dreams – 10^th Anniversary Edition of Chicken Soup For The Soul

2002 First Place Winner---National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest (1^st in nation)

2002 Story published in Chicken Soup For The Teacher’s Soul

2001 Book published - It’s Your Turn Now!

2001 Presentations in South Africa (school & radio)

2001 Keynote speaker at the Crystal Cathedral International Women’s Conference

2001 National Speakers’ Association 1^st Place Regional Showcase Winner

2001 Article, “Teaching with Class” selected for inclusion in God Allows U-Turns

2000 Outstanding Alumni Award, Webster University

2000 Selected as Presenter for the Emmy Awards 2000

2000 Champion Award of the Epworth Foundation

2000 International Who's Who of Professional Management

2000 AT&T Cable Network Weekly Television Talk Show Host

2000 Featured by Bob Costas with Cardinal Baseball Hall of Fame

2000 Resolution of Honor by State of Missouri House of Representatives

1999 Inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

1999 Senate recommendation for Governor’s School Violence Task Force

1999 Founder and President of Salt and Light Ministry

1999 Proclamation given by U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard Riley

1999 Recognition by St. Louis School Partnership (Cooperative Integration Program for Race Relations.)

1999 Presenter for Cumberland University : Masters courses in Technology In the Classroom, Learning Strategies, Motivating Reluctant Learners

1999 Trainer for Lee Canter and Associates, 10 years: Succeeding with Difficult Students, Beyond Assertive Discipline, Violence Prevention: Scared or Prepared, How to Get Parents on You Side

1998 Recognition by OASIS: (Senior Citizens) Production of Original play ACT YOUR AGE.

1998 International Who's Who in Education

PUBLICATIONS

IT'S YOUR TURN NOW! (Book)

Although I have been published in numerous books, magazines, newspapers and videos, this is my first full-length book. This is the step by step process that I have been through in changing major areas of my life. I open with famous success stories of people who were once labeled as "failures"...that was me too! Then I tell my personal story of "From Troubled Teen to Teacher of the Year and all that my poor parents and family had to go through with me- the drinking, running away, and even attempted suicide. Each chapter is a step by step guide of how to take the personal issues of your past and present and actually turn them into opportunities to change. I include ways to begin, how to focus, how to implement change, how to get help, how to stay motivated, how to balance your life physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. My prayer is that God will use this book to help others through the tragedies and stumbling blocks of their lives into the rich, rewarding, and successful life He wants us to have. If I can change from a 250 pound suicidal high school dropout- anyone can turn around! That's why I titled it... IT'S YOUR TURN NOW!

HOW I LOST 100 LBS. AND GAINED A NEW LIFE           This is a CD dealing specifically with the issue of being overweight all my life. I was born fat, grew up as a fat child, a fat teen and didn't want to live by age 23. I have tried EVERY diet, gimmick and aid possible- even pills, shots, hypnosis and all the popular diet programs. It wasn't about food. I was stuffing down my feelings and was mad at the world. I hated myself and couldn't do anything about it – so I thought. I begin this tape with my last suicide attempt when I finally screamed out to God and surrendered my entire life to Him- physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I share on this tape twenty five scriptures God gave me dealing directly with food and overeating. In two years I lost over 100 pounds and I am in the top 1% of people who have kept this much weight off for over 25 years. I now eat to live- I don't live to eat. I have no gimmicks, but I share specifically the routine, foods and prayer life that work for me. I have also worked for twenty years with girls and women who are compulsive overeaters, anorexic and bulimic, and I share some of their success stories here too. There is no reason why with God's help you can't also be a normal size, healthy and energetic as God intended us to be. I am no longer obsessed with food- but can eat anything I want... He simply changed my desires and I believe He wants to do the same for you!

   THE GIFT OF HOPE

This is my personal testimony CD from the beginning up until now. I share my upbringing in a "good home" with a church-going family, small town USA . I had all the right pieces in place but I fell through the cracks. I share my innermost thoughts and fears as I was deemed a complete failure, and how I rebelled against my parents, society and everything having to do with God. I share how I tried everything in this world to find happiness- drinking, drugs, relationships, food, education, dabbling in various cults, Vietnam protesting, education and philosophies, even witchcraft. My marriage of 30 years began with near divorce! I especially love to share my story with young people just as I have with my high school students for the past twenty-eight years I have taught high school and college. It wasn't an accident that I had a teacher at age 16 that told me "God was going to do something great with my life" – and then I became a teacher. This CD is the before and after story that I believe each one of us can have, no matter how far you have gone down the wrong road and no matter how far you feel you have to go. I end the CD with a simple strategy for a balanced life that ends the personal struggle we have with ourselves and with God. I pray that this CD is indeed the gift of hope needed for one more struggling soul. There is a personal message by my parents, now in their 70's.

CHOICES (Award winning documentary dealing with teen issues. Written by and   featuring Debra and her high school students, it was produced by Southwestern Bell     Corporation and won an Emmy Award in the field of education.

Miss Alma The story in Chicken Soup, of the teacher who made the difference in Debra’s life.

Act Your Age Play paralleling youth with the elderly. Written, produced and directed by Debra

The High Performing Teacher Documentary Graduate Course video featuring five nationally selected outstanding teachers filmed live in their classrooms

PUZZLES AND PARADIGMS  Play written and produced by Debra and her students featuring interpersonal issues of all   ages. Filmed on site in all nine of her district’s schools.

FREEDOM RISING  Video history of St. Louis African Americans. Debra and students presented workshops on race relations throughout the state.

TEACHING WITH CLASS  Debra’s soon to be published personal         teaching success story is appearing in GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS. A story of hope and inspiration for parents, teachers, and those        who work with youth, and troubled     adolescents.

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Phone: (314) 842-7425
Fax: (314) 842 1327
PO Box 29521

Saint Louis, MO 63126