My heart is in early childhood, specifically regarding those strong foundational skills that establish the pillars to build the best future. I am super excited to be a part of the Fordham Early Learning Academy! Big beginnings for little learners! Go foxes!

My father was a Marion County native, and we were a military family. I was born in New Jersey and have lived in Africa, California, Michigan, Nebraska, and Rhode Island. Ocala has always been our home base. I attended the original East Marion Elementary School in the Ocala National Forest, Fort King Middle School, and Vanguard High School here in Ocala.

I have an associate degree in early childhood from the College of Central Florida. I have taught VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) for 23 years here in Ocala at my state-licensed home daycare, Debra Poole’s Large Family Child Care Home, which became Georgetowne Home Preschool. We were top-rated in Florida and made the news headlines several times. I decided to expand my teaching knowledge, sold the preschool, and went through Saint Leo University while co-teaching at Blessed Trinity Catholic Elementary School in kindergarten, first, and third grades. I also completed a final internship in 5th grade at Hammett Bowen Elementary School. I have now been certified in kindergarten through sixth grade and hold reading and ESOL endorsements.

My three children are all grown and married and have blessed me with 17 grandchildren. The oldest is a newly certified high school teacher, while the youngest is a very active two-year-old. They all live here in Ocala.