Setting the Atmosphere

Dr. Deborah L. Wortham is an educator, best-selling co-author, elder, professor, and nationally recognized lecture circuit presenter. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Wortham is prepared spiritually and educationally. She is the former Superintendent of the School District of the City of York in York, Pennsylvania, and the Steelton-Highspire School District in Steelton, Pennsylvania. She was the first locally elected Superintendent of the Roosevelt Union Free School District in eleven years. During her tenure, the District moved from "State Takeover" to "Good Standing." Dr. Wortham served as the First African-American Female Superintendent of the East Ramapo Central School District in Spring Valley, New York, where all 12 K-8 schools reached "Good Standing." Still fond of the Roosevelt Union Free School District; currently, Dr. Wortham serves as the Superintendent in charge of "Resetting Roosevelt!"Her credentials include a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a Master's Degree in Reading from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland; and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.Dr. Wortham is a best-selling co-author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st Century Graduate. She received Elementary Teacher of the Year and Dissertation of the Year. Dr. Wortham is featured in several educational videos, has written numerous chapters for various books, and has traveled extensively, lecturing on various topics. Her most recent community highlights include the Top 100 Most Influential Educators in New York State; East Ramapo "Sheroe" Award; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award; Rockland County School Board Association Award of Excellence; Mid-Hudson School Study Council, Educational Leadership Award; First Timothy Christian Church for Outstanding Contributions; and Leadership Award, Nassau County, New York NAACP. Additionally, the following awards: Washington Rose "Inspiring Woman" Award; Service Above Self Award, Central Nassau County of Rotary International; Salute to Unsung Sheroes' of Sisters in the Struggle Award, Nassau County; Educator of the Year, Long Island Black Educator's Association, and the Sojourner Truth Award, Central Nassau Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.Her national and international affiliations include being a life-member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Iota Omega Chapter; member of The Links, Incorporated, Long Island Chapter; Chaplain, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter; member of Rotary International, and a Life Member of Girl Scouts, PTA, and the NAACP.Dr. Wortham has been married for 50 years to Rev. Chester H. Wortham, Jr. She and her husband work together in ministry locally and abroad. They have led marriage and leadership development seminars at various conferences. Dr. Wortham and her husband have two children, Dr. Shelley and Min. Chester, III; one son-in-law, Sheldon; one daughter-in-law, Marquita; one granddaughter, Jordynn Lynn; and four grandsons, Chester, IV, Sheldon, Jr., Zachary, and Ethan.Dr. Wortham was licensed and certified as a Minister by the Board of Examiners, and in 2011 she was ordained as an Elder at the Higher Dimensions Christian Center in Baltimore, MD. "To God Be the Glory, for the Great things He has Done!"