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 Roosevelt Union Free School District Superintendent 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, Dr. Wortham returned in 2020. With the Board's leadership, staff support, and the commitment of students and the community, the Roosevelt Union Free School District is once again rated by the New York State Education Department as "Good Standing!" Thus, on July 1, 2024, Dr. Wortham "Took a Bow" and retired from the Roosevelt Union Free School District.
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; a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, Madison, Wisconsin; and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the Anointed by God Ministries Alliance and Seminary, New York, New York.
Dr. Wortham is a Best-Selling Co-Author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st-Century Graduate. Her book, "Setting the Atmosphere for Leaders and Learners," was released in February2024. The book was featured in The Superintendent's Association (AASA) Administrator’s Journal in August 2024. 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 different topics.
Her most recent community highlights include the 2024 National Finalist for The Superintendent's Association (AASA) Women in Leadership, Superintendent's Category. The Award waspresented in February 2024 during the National Education Conference. The Top 100 Most Influential Educators in New York State (2020); Education Expert by Market Scale (2023); 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; the Kujichagulia Award, Town of Hempstead; 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; Chaplain 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 is married to Rev. Chester H. Wortham, Jr. She and her husband have led marriage and leadership development seminars at various conferences, working together in ministry locally and abroad. They have two children, Dr. Shelley and Min. Chester, III; one granddaughter and four grandsons.