Deborah Kerr, Ed.D

Deborah Kerr is the Superintendent of St. Francis Public School District in St. Francis, Wisconsin with over 1100 students, 110 teachers, 50% students of color, 50% economically-disadvantaged, and 50% of students attend from 56 other Metro MKE schools. The district joyfully serves over 200 neurodiverse students who are thriving in a co-teach & co-serve environment. She is in her second year of leading this “diamond of a district,” on the south side of Milwaukee. She has dedicated the last forty years of her life to the education of all children. She has also been elected to leadership roles in regional, state, and national organizations. She is past-president of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA). Deb is noted for closing achievement gaps, attaining 100% graduation rates, recruiting diverse teaching, administrative, and school boards. Through her learning experiences with great educators and community partners, she believes that we must collectively work together to promote excellence and equity for all of our students. She earned her Doctorate from National-Louis University, a Master’s from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and a Bachelor of Arts & Science from Valparaiso University. She also is an entrepreneur and CEO/President of Lead Greatly, LLC, a former candidate for the Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and continues to fight and advocate for ALL Wisconsin kids.