I have always regarded teaching as an art, a craft to develop and refine with experience and continued learning opportunities. Each opportunity inspires revision and challenges me on new levels. I embrace each chance to recreate myself to better meet the needs of each of my students, their parents and caregivers, and the teachers with whom I collaborate. I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized. The Presidential Award validates my efforts toward reaching my goals and refining my craft.

Debra Turchetti-Ramm Johnston, RI | K-6, Science, 2014

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. For this awardee's latest biographical information, see their profile page.

Debra Turchetti-Ramm has been a fourth grade teacher at Sarah Dyer Barnes Elementary School for 19 years. For six years prior to that, she had been an early childhood educator. Deb's students are actively engaged in her SPACE Camp program, where science comes alive through cross-curricular projects.  Deb has been a participant and trainer for the Rhode Island Teachers and Technology Initiative since 1998, transforming her classroom into a blended learning environment. She presents workshops at local forums, including Learning First Alliance, Rhode Island Department of Education's Innovation Powered by Technology, Rhode Island Science Teachers Association, and Highlander's Blended Learning Conferences.   Deb is a founding member of EdUnderground, a hands-on laboratory where teachers explore technology integration strategies and blended learning models to support the diverse needs of students. She is a Fuse RI Fellow, working to collaborate with districts to assess readiness, analyze data, and help disseminate blended learning practices. Deb is also President-Elect of the RI Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and has created a professional development series for "Personalization and the Whole Child." Debra has a B.A. in psychology and early childhood and a certificate in elementary education from Rhode Island College. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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