[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. DEBRA PACE AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                       FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Debra Pace assumed the position of 
superintendent of the Osceola School District in March 2016. Dr. Pace 
has an extensive background in both instructional and operational 
leadership, serving as principal for Poinciana and Harmony High Schools 
and as deputy superintendent for secondary in the Osceola School 
District from 2003 to 2011. She also served as associate superintendent 
for the human resources services division for Brevard Public Schools 
from 2011 to 2016 before returning to the Osceola School District. As a 
lifelong resident, student, parent, teacher, and leader in the Osceola 
School District and Osceola community, she has demonstrated both pride 
and passion in leading the school district forward and serving all 
children in the community with a commitment to excellence.
  Highlights of her successful career include fostering academic 
achievement within diverse cultures, developing high-quality programs 
that directly impact student performance, staffing, and professional 
development of instructional and non-instructional employees in direct 
support of students, allocating resources responsibly to meet the needs 
of schools and the district, and developing strong leadership pipelines 
to reflect the community's diverse student body. As superintendent, she 
has built strong relationships with local, State, and Federal 
governments and business leaders, raised expectations for both students 
and staff, and provided strong leadership to ensure that the school 
system functions effectively as a critical entity focused on student 
success to strengthen and improve economic development and 
diversification, quality of life, and community pride. She currently 
serves on the University of Central Florida School of Teacher Education 
Advisory Board, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and 
Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group, the United Arts of Central 
Florida Board of Directors, and the Florida Association of District 
School Superintendents Board of Directors.
  Dr. Pace earned her bachelors degree in foreign language-
international trade from Auburn University, a master's degree in 
English education, and a doctorate in education from the University of 
Central Florida.