Debbie brings an impressive 35-year legacy in education, with a special focus on urban middle schools where she spent 25 enriching years. Her journey began in a Boys Reformatory, an experience that honed her skills in understanding and connecting with students long before social and emotional learning (SEL) became mainstream. In the late 1980s, Debbie ventured into the role of a middle school teacher for students with severe behavioral challenges. During this time, she began to integrate insights from neuroscience into classroom management and student engagement, collaborating with experts across various fields. This interdisciplinary approach led her to create, develop, and implement a highly respected middle school alternative program. This program significantly reduced suspensions, improved grades, and boosted state testing scores, as evidenced by video testimonials and robust data analytics. After her tenure as a teacher, Debbie served 10 years as an instructional coach, supporting educators across all content areas to refine their pedagogical skills. Since retiring from full-time teaching, she has continued to influence the education sector through professional development sessions, published articles, and as a co-founder of a web-based application designed to enhance instructional quality, student achievement, and overall happiness in educational settings.