Debra Durso serves as the chief executive officer and principal of Green Woods Charter School, a Green STEM school serving over 700 students in the northwest section of Philadelphia and a recipient of the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award. Green Woods Charter School is committed to nurturing students as conscientious investigators, creating active young stewards of the natural world. In her role, Debra is responsible for both external partnerships and student achievement at the school. She leads professional development sessions focused on best practices in curriculum execution, restorative practices, high quality differentiated instruction, and leadership development for both teachers and leaders at Green Woods. Prior to her work at Green Woods, Debra served in several roles – from teacher to college advisor to principal to regional schools officer – at Mastery Charter Schools, a network of 24 schools in Philadelphia and Camden; as an English teacher in the School District of Philadelphia; and as a college coordinator for Philadelphia Futures. Debra also serves as vice president of the board of trustees for Deep Roots Charter School in Philadelphia. She holds a BA in English from Shippensburg University, an MS in Counseling from Widener University, and an MS in Educational Leadership from Chestnut Hill College. She lives with her husband, Tim, and four children, Charlie, Max, Timothy, and Eleanor in Philadelphia.