As teachers, we sometimes feel that our work is not valued. We often have to fight for the right to be treated as the professionals that we know we are, to be allowed to spend our time at work in the way that we know will best benefit our students, and to be paid a salary that reflects the knowledge, time, and dedication we bring to this endeavor. Being awarded a Presidential Award means that the time and energy spent to produce good teaching is valued and appreciated.

Deborah Young APO, AE | K-6, Science, 2018

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Deborah “Deb” Young has spent the last 22 years teaching in schools around the world within the DoDEA system. For the past seven years she has taught various combinations of mathematics, science, and counseling at Garmisch Elementary Middle School. During the 2017-2018 school year, Deb was the guidance counselor and taught fourth-grade mathematics, multi-age fourth and fifth-grade science, and Accelerated Mathematics 8/Algebra 1. As a counselor, Deb is keenly aware of the importance of the classroom atmosphere, always taking time to develop a learning community that is cooperative and conducive to developing a growth mindset in all learners. She enjoys sharing the joy of mathematics and science through games, inquiry, and hands-on activities. A former student said, “Ms. Young actually made me love math.” Deb continually strives to improve her teaching through collaboration with colleagues and coursework through the University of San Diego. She is also a member of the DoDEA Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Think Tank. Deb earaned a B.A. in mathematics and human development and a M.A. in counseling psychology, both from Boston College. She is a DoDEA certified guidance counselor, elementary teacher, middle school and high school mathematics teacher, mathematics compensatory education teacher, and assistant principal.

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