Dee Strickland

Deanna Strickland is a dynamic and insightful speaker with a deep-rooted passion for fostering growth and excellence in education. As a dedicated wife of 28 years to Daniel Strickland and a proud mother to three wonderful children – Gabriel, Gideon, and Delia – Deanna understands the importance of commitment and nurturing potential, both at home and in the professional sphere.
Her extensive experience in education spans various roles, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing educators today. Deanna served as a 7th Grade Reading/ELA Teacher at South Sumter Middle School from 2009 to 2015, where she honed her classroom expertise. Her commitment to student success led her to become an active AVID Site Team member (2012-2021), an engaging AVID Elective Teacher (2015-2021), and a highly effective AVID Coordinator (2016-2021). Under her leadership, the South Sumter Middle School AVID Site Team achieved the prestigious recognition of becoming an AVID National Demonstration School in 2018, a testament to her exceptional guidance and dedication.
Deanna's leadership journey continued as she served as the Assistant Principal at Webster Elementary (2021-2024) and currently holds the same position at South Sumter Middle School (2024-2026). Her passion for empowering her colleagues extends beyond her school sites. She has served as a District Trainer for AVID (2020-2023) and continues to work as an AVID Staff Developer (2022-2025), demonstrating her commitment to high-quality professional development for educators.
Driven by her passion for teacher professional development, Deanna's presentations are rich with practical strategies, real-world examples drawn from her diverse experiences, and an infectious enthusiasm for continuous growth. She empowers audiences to cultivate innovative teaching methodologies, build positive classroom cultures, develop effective leadership skills, and prioritize teacher well-being.