Debra D. Peppers
1999 Inductee
High School English, Speech, Debate, Theater
St. Louis, Missouri
Years in current position: 25
Total years as a classroom teacher: 25
One of Peppers' original plays, "Choices," dealing with teen issues such as peer pressure, eating disorders, drugs, teen pregnancy, and suicide was purchased by Southwestern Bell Telephone and made into a nationally distributed documentary, which eventually won an Emmy Award.
Peppers considers her drama and speech classes a "dress rehearsal" for real life experiences. Her classes create, direct, and produce original public service announcements on literacy, child abuse, alcoholism, and school dropouts.
She designed a "zero hour" (before school) credit class in technical theater that stemmed from a district mini-grant and now has a two-year waiting list.
Each class is allowed to select its own six-week project. Students originate ideas such as developing workshops to include the middle school, ecology play for elementary schools, library instructional videos, lunch time cafeteria performances, and co-projects with other schools. She wrote a play called "Act Your Age" and cast 25 students with 25 senior citizens from the area.
Fifteen years ago, Peppers chaired the Teachers for Lindbergh campaign to pass a bond issue to build a new multi-million auditorium and has served as the auditorium manager ever since. She believes teachers must never forget that public schools are for the public and everyone must take ownership.
"Had she not been able to see beyond my teenage glasses, braces, inferiority complex and emotional instability, my life would be very different today. . .She did for me what she has done for many others who have tumultuous teen years; she encouraged, listened, and always understood."
-- Linda Underwood, former student, now a teacher in Botswana, Africa
"Debra has served on practically every committee, volunteered for every workshop, spoken at every school in the state, hugged every kid in the school, and touched everyone that came in contact with her. Teachers with children at the high school often do everything they can to get their children in one of Debra's classes."
-- Jack Schwab, teacher at Lindbergh High School
Education
1973 | University of Alabama, B.A. English/speech communication |
1986 | Webster University, Master of Arts |
1992 | Drake University, Extension/Discipline training |
1991 | Washington University, Action Research |
1990 | University of Missouri, at-risk training |
Teaching Experience
1999 - present | KJSL Radio |
1974-99 | (9-12) English/speech/drama, Lindbergh School District |
1985-92 | 20+area schools student/teacher race relations |
1987-94 | 50+ area schools, 7-12 teen issues workshops |
1990-98 | Webster University, graduate instructor in MAT program |
1988-98 | (7-12) peer mediation/conflict resolution trainer |
1989 - present | National Consultant for Lee Canter/Assertive Discipline |
Honors/Awards
2002 | Story published in "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul" |
2001 | National Federation of Press Women Inductee |
2001 | Keynote speaker at the Crystal Cathedral International Women's Conference |
2000 | Outstanding Alumni Award, Webster University |
2000 | Resolution of Honor by State of Missouri House of Representatives |
1999 | Chicken Soup for Teachers |
1995 | Missouri State Technology Award |
1994 | St. Louis Hometown Hero Award |
1991 | World of Difference Award, B'nai B'rith |
1990 | Recipient of the Robert Elsea Award: Outstanding Educator in St. Louis Count |
1990 | Missouri State Teacher of the Year finalist |
1989 | Kiwanis Golden Rule Award |
1989 | Emerson Electric Excellence in Education Award |