Debra Gann was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Both of Debby’s parents were from farming families in the nearby small, rural, east Arkansas towns of Goobertown and Oak Grove. Her father was a career U.S. Marine. As a result, Deb moved and traveled often, providing opportunities to live in many places and experience many cultures in the United States and overseas, including Japan. She was very competitive throughout school both academically and in the fine arts of music and drama. She attended many different schools across the U.S. and graduated from Chofu High School in Chofu-Tokyo, Japan, with academic honors and the John Phillip Sousa Band Award.

Debby worked her way through Arkansas State University in the school’s library and for Sears and Wal-Mart. She played woodwinds, including clarinet and oboe, for the Marching Indian Band. In 1977 she graduated with a B.E. in Music. After being asked to a local high school prom on her first job interview she returned to ASU and accumulated degrees in elementary education and early childhood as well. As a result Debby is “highly qualified” in all core content subjects K-12 according to NCLB, as well as in music and special ed. In 1979, she began working as a rural music teacher in Lake City, AR, where her father had also taught. In 1990 Debby and her family moved to Kansas City, MO, where she completed her master's in 3 different special education fields, including Emotional/Behavioral Disturbances, at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Debby began working as an autistic/behavioral teacher for the Kansas City metropolitan area the year before graduating. She completed her plus-30 this past summer and is considering beginning her doctorial degree.

In 1997, Debra moved again as her husband Lou was transferred to Nashville. She began as a music teacher for MNPS’s special ed schools and was transferred to W.A. Bass the next year as our first behavioral intervention/MIP-C teacher. She has gone through many changes here at Bass from growing from 7-8 to 5-9 school to several new principals and states she has grown with each change Bass has made. Her motto is “SMILE!” Debra has received many different honors including Bass teacher-of-the-year, Jr. Achievement teacher-of-the-year, and placement on several “Who’s Who” lists.

Debby met Lou while they were both students at Arkansas State University and was married in May 1979. Lou, retired from big-time banking, now works for a small local landscaping company. They have 4 children – twin boys and two girls, and 2 grandchildren – one of each. They also raise Arabian horses for fun and show. Her and her family are active members of First Baptist Church in Fairview where they live. They also enjoy participating in “pickin’ and grinn’” sessions with local bluegrass and Opry Ol-timers. Debra will never give up her KC Chiefs, but does upon occasion root for the Titans, Tennessee, and has even been heard Shouting “Go Vandy!”

Strengths: Quick to laugh, slow to anger; knows a little about a lot.

Weaknesses: Dark chocolate and putting in her “2-cents worth” without being asked.

Favorite Food: Anything that doesn’t eat her first.

Favorite Quote: “I Think I Can, I Think I Can, with God’s help I Know I Can!”

Second Favorite Quote: “Lets go and PLEASE pull up your pants!”

Favorite Books: Anything children’s lit.

Favorite Television Show: CSI, NCIS, and Law and Order

Favorite Game: Phase10