A Conversation with Dr. Deborah Wortham, Education Leader and Author

About Dr. Deborah Wortham

Dr. Deborah L. Wortham is a nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker with a distinguished career in educational leadership. A Chicago native, she has served as superintendent in multiple school districts, including Roosevelt Union Free School District, where she led the transition from state takeover to good standing. She was also the first African American female superintendent of East Ramapo Central School District, where all K-8 schools achieved good standing.

Dr. Wortham holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s in Reading from Morgan State University, and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin. She is a best-selling co-author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st-Century Graduate and the author of Setting the Atmosphere: Beliefs, Practices, and Protocols for Faith-Filled Leaders, which provides guidance for educators on fostering success-driven school cultures.

Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the AASA Women in Leadership Award (2024) and recognition as one of New York State's Top 100 Most Influential Educators. Dr. Wortham remains active in national organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Rotary International, continuing her mission to inspire and empower educational leaders.

Podcast Summary

In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, Dr. Deborah Wortham, a distinguished educator and author, shares insights from her extensive career in transforming educational institutions. Having served as superintendent in multiple districts, including leading Roosevelt Union Free School District from state takeover to good standing, Dr. Wortham discusses the power of collaboration, leadership, and faith-filled education.

Dr. Wortham emphasizes how early experiences as a teacher shaped her approach to leadership, moving from isolation to embracing teamwork. She discusses her belief in John Maxwell’s Law of Significance—that one is too small a number to achieve greatness—highlighting how collaboration among educators, parents, and administrators fosters educational success.

A key focus of the conversation is her transformative work at Roosevelt Union Free School District, where she reversed a culture of low expectations and instilled a belief in excellence. By implementing systems rooted in growth mindset and efficacy, she shifted attitudes and improved student performance, ultimately raising the graduation rate from 68% to 86%. She describes the impact of a shared belief in success, using the mantra “Roosevelt Rising” as a rallying call for change.

Dr. Wortham also elaborates on her book, Setting the Atmosphere: Beliefs, Practices, and Protocols for Faith-Filled Leaders. She explains how educational leadership is not just about implementing strategies but about building confidence and fostering an environment where teachers and students believe in their potential.

She concludes with advice for new superintendents: understanding one’s purpose, or “knowing your why,” is crucial for making a meaningful impact. Dr. Wortham shares a personal story about her sister’s influence, illustrating how a deep sense of purpose drives her commitment to education.

Main Topics Covered

1. The Importance of Collaboration
   Wortham discusses moving from isolation as a teacher to embracing collaboration as a superintendent. She highlights how teamwork among educators, parents, and students leads to greater success in schools.
2. Transforming Roosevelt Union Free School District
   She shares her experience leading Roosevelt from state takeover to good standing by reversing a culture of low expectations, implementing belief systems, and instilling confidence through mantras like “Roosevelt Rising.”
3. Growth Mindset and Efficacy in Leadership
   Wortham emphasizes the power of growth mindset and self-efficacy, advocating for belief systems that help students and educators see their potential and commit to continuous improvement.
4. Faith-Filled Leadership
   In her book, Setting the Atmosphere, she explores the role of faith and confidence in leadership. She describes how fostering belief in educators and students transforms school culture and leads to achievement.
5. Advice for New Superintendents
   Wortham advises education leaders to “know their why,” sharing a personal story of how her sister’s passing gave her a lifelong commitment to excellence in education.
6. Parental and Community Engagement
   She highlights the importance of engaging parents as partners in education, ensuring they feel part of a winning team through communication strategies and community involvement.

Cultural belief is the catalyst for educational transformation—when those responsible for educating believe in a vision, and those being educated contribute to achieving that vision, success is no longer just a possibility, but a certainty.