Debra graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology.  She taught high school and middle school Chemistry, Biology and Algebra for three years at Darlington School.  In 1991, she moved to St. Louis to attend Washington University and received her Masters of Science Degree in Deaf Education in 1993.  She then taught at Central Institute for the Deaf for twelve years.  Debra returned to Darlington School in 2005 with her family.  She taught high school Algebra and Geometry until 2010, becoming Chair of the Math Department in 2008.

In order to pursue her love of cooking, Debra enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in 2010, receiving her Culinary Certificate in 2011.  She also joined the faculty at The St. Michael School of Clayton in 2010, working part time teaching 7th grade math.  In the fall of 2011, Debra began to teach full time at TSMSOC.  She has taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math as well as 7th and 8th grade science.  Debra incorporates cooking into her math and science lessons whenever she is able.

In her free time, Debra enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.