Deborah earned her Ph.D. in Urban Education at The Graduate Center at the City University of New York in 2016. Deborah currently serves as the Co-Chair of Pre-Student Teaching Experiences Subcommittee on the Clinical Practice Work Group for the New York State Education Department. Her research focuses on how assessment, standardization, and accountability effect social justice and equity. Her research investigates New York City teacher candidates' and teacher educators' experience with the edTPA, a teacher performance assessment for State certification, and the issue of low and delayed submission rates of edTPA portfolios.