Dea has made numerous state, regional, and national presentations, which usually demonstrate ways to effectively combine technology with traditional literacy skills. She believes the school librarian should always strive to work as an educational partner with classroom teachers. In 2013, Rebecca Crowder and Dea received the TLC (Teacher/Librarian Collaboration) Award from the Missouri Association of School Librarians for their work together. Dea is an advisor to the Children’s and Young Adult Book Review of Missouri and a steering committee member for the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks.