Educational Leadership
Supporting students through academic programming, college readiness, advocacy, family engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive educational support.
Education • Advocacy • Community
Debra
Jemison
Education Leader | Program Strategist | Foster Care Advocate | Community Builder
Transforming experience into impact across education, youth development, family advocacy, and community programs.
Debra Jemison is an education and human-services leader whose career reflects a long-standing commitment to helping students, families, and communities navigate complex systems, access opportunity, and achieve stronger outcomes.
A body of work rooted in service, leadership & impact
Debra Jemison's professional experience spans educational leadership, student success, program management, family engagement, community partnerships, youth development, case management, grant compliance, advocacy, and foster care.
Across schools, nonprofit programs, correctional and reentry environments, family-service systems, and community settings, her work has consistently centered on helping people navigate complex circumstances with greater support, structure, opportunity, and dignity.
Most recently, Debra brought that depth of experience into her leadership as METCO Director at Concord-Carlisle High School through 2026, where she supported students, families, educators, and school partners through academic, social-emotional, cultural, and strategic programming.
Areas of Expertise
Program Development & Management
Building and managing programs, allocating resources, supervising teams and volunteers, supporting grant compliance, coordinating services, and creating systems that help programs operate effectively.
Family & Community Advocacy
Helping families navigate social-service systems, custody matters, reunification, legal advocacy support, referrals, case management, and community partnerships.
Youth Development & Mentorship
Supporting young people through education, mentorship, behavioral guidance, structured programming, foster care, and relationship-centered advocacy.
Most Recent Leadership Role
Leading student success through METCO
As METCO Director at Concord-Carlisle High School through 2026, Debra directed academic, social-emotional, cultural, and strategic programming supporting Boston students participating in the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity program.
Her leadership included student advocacy, family engagement, program-resource administration, transportation coordination, cross-functional collaboration, and the development of programs that strengthened students' academic and postsecondary opportunities.
College Readiness
Developed a college-readiness initiative supporting juniors and seniors throughout the college application process.
HBCU Connections
Established relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to expand college awareness and postsecondary opportunities for students.
A Legacy of Care
More than 200 lives. Decades of lessons. A legacy worth sharing.
For many years Debra served as a licensed foster parent, providing structured, supportive care for more than 200 adolescent girls and young women.