Before coming to Primary Source in 2003, Deborah taught U.S. and world history at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School for several years, worked as coordinator of services for young people at the National Association for Gifted Children in the U.K., and completed her doctorate on the teaching of historical empathy at Oxford University. She continues to conduct research on aspects of history teachers' knowledge and expertise.

Deb also lived and traveled in China from 1993 to 1994, and resided in England from 1998 to 2003, experiences that deepened her commitment to cross-cultural understanding. She holds degrees from Yale and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.