Debbie Phelps, M.Ed. ’98, receives inaugural School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award

Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education honored author, motivational speaker, and longtime Baltimore County educator Debbie Phelps, M.Ed. ’98, with the University’s inaugural School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award on Nov. 20, 2024. The award, which was presented in conjunction with the 33rd Sister Cleophas Costello Lecture, celebrates graduates who have exemplified professional excellence, a deep commitment to public service, and an enduring dedication to advancing the mission of education in their communities.

“Throughout nearly five decades of teaching and administrative experience, Debbie Phelps has profoundly impacted countless students, teachers, and community members,” said Afra Ahmed Hersi, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. “Her visionary leadership has transformed resources for students and teachers, establishing programs and opportunities that nurture growth, equity, and achievement. Ms. Phelps exemplifies the mission and Jesuit values of Loyola, and we are privileged to celebrate her as the inaugural School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”

Phelps currently serves as executive director of The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), a role she has held since 2012. A private, non-profit charitable organization, The Education Foundation’s mission is to support improved educational outcomes for the community through fundraising, advocacy, and programs. In this role, Phelps has worked to address the issue of teachers having a lack of supplies for their classrooms through the creation of The Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore, a resource center supporting BCPS’s nearly 8,000 teachers and 111,000 students.

A highly sought after motivational speaker, Phelps added “author” to her resume with the release of her first book, A Mother for All Seasons, in 2012. In the memoir, she reveals the universal themes of her life story that is rich with struggle, humor, hope, advice, and passion, and rallies readers to cheer for all of our children at every stage of their growth and in every endeavor.  

A native of Allegany County, Maryland, Phelps received her M.Ed. in Education Management & Supervision from Loyola and her B.A. in Education from Fairmont State College. She began her career in education as a teacher at Havre de Grace Middle School in 1974 and evolved her experiences from teacher to team leader to department chair, which has served as the foundation of her successful role in administration. She served as the principal of Windsor Mill Middle School from 2005 through 2012, where she oversaw the launch of the school in 2006.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been named the recipient of Loyola’s inaugural School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award. To be recognized for my work that began in a classroom filled with students eager to learn to the board room filled with directors eager to provide their time, talents, and treasure in support of public education has been quite rewarding.” said Phelps. “To the hundreds of thousands of students who inspired me every day, my many colleagues and mentors who supported me and offered guidance, the University that provided me with continuous growth and knowledge, and my family who were often in the schoolhouse with me on the weekend, I celebrate this recognition with each of you.”

Phelps’ commitment to educational excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including BCPS Teacher of the Year Finalist, two-time Maryland Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year, Baltimore County’s “Baby Boomer of the Year” (2004), The Imagination Award: Understanding Hearts Celebrating Teachers and Other Heroes, the Healthier Moms and Babies Inspiration Award, and the SmartCEO Brava! Award. She served as the keynote speaker for the “In Their Own Words” Leadership Breakfast Series for United Way and as a mentor for the Baltimore Business Journal Mentoring Monday initiative for the past several years. Most recently, she was named among Maryland’s 2024 Top 100 Women by The Daily Record, her third such recognition (2014 and 2020), earning her an induction into the publication’s Circle of Excellence. 

“We are extremely proud of Ms. Phelps’ tireless advocacy for public education and her leadership in our community,” said Colleen Riopko, ’02, assistant vice president for alumni and constituent engagement. “This well-deserved recognition speaks not only to her far-reaching impact inside and outside of the classroom, but also to the strength of Loyola’s alumni network.” 

Phelps has also served on multiple advisory boards, including Loyola’s own School of Education Board of Advisors, the Michael Phelps Foundation, the Chimes International Board of Directors, and Junior Achievement of Central Maryland.