About Our Executive Director
Debbie Smith believes passionately in expanding educational opportunities for all children. She thinks that parents need more freedom when it comes to choosing the most appropriate education for their children. Debbie believes that increasing school choice measures will be the first step in providing children with a more appropriate education and will eventually lead to the overall reform of the public school system.
Debbie obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts from Norwich University. She continues to work to improve educational standards within the public school system by contributing her time in a series of volunteer positions.
Debbie has two children currently enrolled in college: her daughter has been in Special Education since preschool and her son is an honor student who was also in Gifted and Talented programs in his elementary years. Having such diverse children has provided Debbie with a variety of experiences within the public education system.
These experiences include working extensively with students, parents, teachers, and administrators in addressing education policies. Debbie has performed as an advocate, speaker, leader, and volunteer all in an effort to improve public education. As an advocate, she has worked with the Office of Civil Rights on behalf of her daughter and other students, and was ultimately successful in securing a two-year probation against the school district due to the number of violations committed. As a speaker and leader, Debbie regularly addresses groups of parents, students, and teachers where she discusses student and parental rights and offers support and insight into the difficulties of raising a child with special needs.
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