Dr. Deborah Blakeslee is a fifth grade mathematics and science teacher and team leader at Apopka Elementary School. She has been a teacher for fifteen years. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on mathematics from the University of Central Florida. Her dissertation, A Case Study on the Impact of Intermediate Elementary Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Expectancy Beliefs of Students on Scaffolding Practices in Mathematics Intervention, examined the impact third through fifth grade teachers’ expectancy beliefs of students had on the instructional teaching practices used in mathematics intervention. The research further explored the ways in which teachers provided scaffolding to students during mathematics intervention. Prior to earning her doctorate degree, Dr. Blakeslee earned her master’s degree in K-8 Math and Science Education from the University of Central Florida where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is a proud Triple Knight! She has also presented on building conceptual understanding with manipulatives at a state conference, as well as presented at the district level on cohesive mathematics instruction.
Some of Dr. Blakeslee’s accomplishments include the 2021 Teacher of the year, starting the first OCPS Elementary Robotics Team, OCPS Hero teacher and OCPS Impact Math teacher. Dr. Blakeslee continues to be passionate about developing opportunities to enhance mathematics instruction for all OCPS students through the Noyce Fellowship, and her UCF experiences. She is looking forward to continuing to develop pathways to STEM and providing experiences that promote lifelong learning for all students.