Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) congratulates Dr. Debra Russell, who was named a finalist for Georgia’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Dr. Russell is a teacher of Advanced Placement (AP) Biology and Anatomy and Physiology at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology.

“On behalf of all of Rockdale County Public Schools, I congratulate Dr. Russell on being named a state finalist,” said RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry. “Dr. Russell is an outstanding teacher who cares deeply about her students, coworkers and her community. She is passionate about public education, the teaching profession and helping others succeed. She truly deserves this recognition and beyond.”

“Having excellent teachers in the classroom is absolutely essential – our students cannot succeed at high levels without them,” State Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Every one of these ten finalists is a shining example of the difference a great teacher makes in the life of a child. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishments and look forward to working with them to ensure our policies are child-focused and classroom-centered.”

The ten finalists were chosen from a pool of 155 applicants, all of whom were the Teacher of the Year in their school district. The applications were evaluated and chosen by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners and finalists, administrators, community leaders and others.

Dr. Russell has taught biology and science at RCPS since 1989, starting at Heritage High, then at Salem High, Rockdale Career Academy and Rockdale Magnet School. She has been named a school-level Teacher of the Year three times and is the current district-level Teacher of the Year for RCPS. She was twice recognized by Stanford University in their Teacher Tribute Initiative, nominated by former students who went on to attend Stanford, and has been named an Honor Teacher in the RCPS Superintendent’s Academic Awards ceremony for the past eight years.

Dr. Russell serves as the district’s lead Teaching Support Specialist and mentors new teachers.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Community Nutrition from University of Tennessee, Master’s in Biology Education from Georgia State University, and earned her Doctorate in Educational Practices from Trevecca Nazarene University. She also earned a National Board Certification. In her spare time, she volunteers at Lakeview Community Church in the Lakeview Estates neighborhood and is a sewing enthusiast. She and her husband of 35 years, Dr. Dennis Russell, a math teacher at Heritage High School, have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interviews and hear speeches given by the finalists. The state winner will be announced in mid-May.