Staff

Debbie grew up on a farm with many animals and lots of land to enjoy. She had first hand experience of all that can be learned when children are free to explore and play. She attended traditional schooling for K-12 and it almost killed her love of learning.  After high she planned to never attend another day of school and moved to Las Vegas. After living there for 2 years she then chose to serve a mission for her church and went to Australia for 1 1/2 years.  

After several years of being away from schools and experiencing life in many different ways, she decided to try traditional schooling again and began college.  She majored in flight technology and began flying planes and working towards her private pilots licence.  About the same time she became involved with Montessori schools. This concept of Self Directed Learning was so amazing and felt so right that she eventually dropped out of college to pursue her training and certification as a Montessori teacher.  Since that time, in 2000, she has been involved with starting 3 different Montessori schools and working with hundreds of different children. She eventually found Alpine Valley Academy, and was incredibly impressed with the Sudbury Valley School model of education. She has been with Alpine Valley Academy since 2018.

She loves to study and research. She loves travel, sports, gaming, learning new skills, and reading.  She is the mother of 3 children, and has been married for almost 18 years.