Champion Profile: Debra Colman is a Selfless LeaderDecember 7, 2007 |
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 Debra Colman is the director of Early Education and Family Literacy at Families In Schools, an organization that strives to engage parents as partners in their children's education. With more than 20 years experience designing, administering, and evaluating programs for children, youth and families, Debra has helped thousands with her talents. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Cal State L.A. and a Master's Degree in Social Welfare from UCLA. Early in her career, she worked in various arenas including low-income housing, clinical counseling and youth development. For the past 12 years, Debra has specialized in building the capacity of organizations and schools to deliver quality school readiness, literacy, and parent involvement services. Over the years, she has managed Motheread/Fatheread, Los Angeles, a program intended to encourage parents to read with their children, and oversaw United Way's early learning initiative, Success by 6. During her time with United Way, she directed a family literacy system which strengthened the ability of over 50 organizations to provide effective programs. The projects she currently oversees at Families in Schools aim to develop partnerships between parents, schools, and agencies. Some of her projects include Read with Me/Lea conmigo, the Million Word Challenge, and Feria del Libro: A Family Book Fair. First 5 LA is proud to partner with Debra and Families In Schools to enhance the Million Word Challenge, usually geared towards elementary school children, to include toddlers by encouraging parents to read to their children early on in life. Which book has most influenced your life? "Man’s Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl Which historical figure do you admire most and why? Martin Luther King… because he showed that you can create dramatic social change through non-violent strategies. What is your favorite way to spend time with an important child or children in your life? I love to watch a child’s eyes brighten as their world opens up by reading with them or doing simple arts and crafts projects together. What is your idea of a perfect world? A world where everyone sees the good in their neighbor and treats each other with respect. Which living person do you most admire and why? My Mother … for walking her talk and showing me that nothing is impossible. What is your motto? "To thine own self be true. And it must follow, then as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any other man" – William Shakespeare |
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