Uncrowned Community Builders

Debra Thurman-Smith has devoted her life to enhancing and upgrading the lives of children. Her chosen vocation is teaching, but she has devoted many additional hours to the education of children in her church, schools and community.

Mrs. Thurman-Smith is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and a 1972 graduate of Douglass High School. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 and completed her Masters of Education from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She completed additional course work at Rose State College, South Oklahoma City Community College, and received certification as a workshop presenter and consultant from Oklahoma State University.

Her teaching career began at Millwood Independent School District where she taught children with learning disabilities for twelve years. While employed there, she received newsletter recognition from the superintendent as a caring, competent, cooperative, collegial, and cordial as well as a consistent professional. She was presented many awards for dedicated teaching performance and for her performance as an assistant track coach. Following her Millwood years, she was a Reading Specialist for the Mid-Del School District for ten years. At Mid-Del she was recognized as Teacher of the Year and received the ABC (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) award. Over the years, Debra has presented many parent and student workshops for PTAs and churches on study skills, parent involvement, and test preparation. Currently, she is an Integrated Academic teacher at Metro Technology Centers and has been the National Technical Honor Society Advisor for six years.

As a certified consultant, Debra has presented workshops for the Oklahoma State Department of English, Oklahoma City Reading Association, and has been a presenter on various topics for Workforce Oklahoma. Additionally, she has introduced children of all ages to the "Kwanzaa Experience" through workshops and celebrations over the years.

Debra has been an active member of Unity Baptist Church since she was twelve years old. She initiated the Educational Outreach Ministry in 2001 and is the Program Director. The ministry tutors community children from kindergarten through ninth grades. She enlists the aid of volunteer, personally recruited a staff of 8 tutors with expertise in all areas from reading to calculus. Her realization that today's students need to be computer literate led to a personal solicitation for individuals of the church to donate four new and used computers. Because of her work with the tutoring ministry and community activities, Debra received the prestigious Leadership Oklahoma City's Youth Leadership Exchange Clyde Benn Service to Youth Award and was granted $2,500 to donate toward enhancing the tutoring ministry and other community youth programs of her choice.

She is a volunteer/mentor with the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc.'s Xinos youth group. For nine years, she has served in guiding girls in grades 9 through 12. The mentorship is designed to encourage high scholastic while the young ladies participate in activities to lift ethical, moral and social standards. Her special talents include playwriting. The Xinos group received several first place talent awards for performing dramas written by Thurman-Smith. Debra is an 8 year volunteer/mentor and sponsor for Young Educated Sisters (Y.E.S.) teenage group. This organization was founded to help prevent young African American females from falling into the statistical category of unwed teenage mothers and other societal pitfalls. A mentor must be a spiritual, goal oriented woman whose character exemplifies integrity and a positive self-image. Mrs. Thurman-Smith fits the description. Her inner beauty is projected outward in her compassion and commitment to excellence.

Her many volunteer efforts include organizing an after school reading club, the "Eager Readers", working with the Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home to help teenagers returning to school shop for appropriate clothes and stay within the budget. Debra instills confidence and pride in the young people to whom she devotes her time.
A significant and important part of her life is her supportive and encouraging husband, John T. Smith and their daughter Chloe. Her biggest cheerleaders are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Thurman.

Professional Affiliations
National Council for the Teachers of English
International Reading Association
Association of Career Technology Education
Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education
Oklahoma City Urban League
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.
NTU Art Association
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Hobbies include:
Traveling, reading crafts, digital photography, media creations, home repairs, decorating, and spending time with family and friends.

Philosophy... Live your best life and enjoy the journey. Love, laugh, and embrace all mankind.