When Debbie faced the imminent death of three parents - all of whom she had legal responsbility for - she realized how ill-equipped she was for the role.  She found the help required but she never was sure if she was doing what "they" wanted since the discussion of death was taboo right until the end.  Her gift to those parents was to write a book to help others navigate the merky unsettled waters of the inevitability of death - and how to plan well in advance so that this isn't the end of life remembered.  Debbie's book and related talks give specific links to free planning services available to everyone as well as light-hearted references to the tough choices needed.

Debbie N. Pepin, the founder of The Learning Space, is a recognized figure in the field of education. Not only does she speak passionately about educational reform, she also created a “model school” to serve as an example for others.  Her goal is to inspire individuals, schools, businesses, and community leaders to think about learning in a context that goes beyond the traditional schoolhouse. She convincingly describes the alienation of a percentage of youth from schools and the long-term negative effect on our society.  Furthermore, she quotes CEO’s examples of poor workforce preparedness of a high number of employees.  Her research concludes that one size will not fit all in the field of education.

The Learning Space was located within Nashua Tape Products outside of Albany, NY. It operated as a nonprofit (501c3), independent school for 5 - 17 years olds that integrated learning with the real world.  The philosophy was based on the needs of the 21st century in terms of worker’s skills.  Focus was on an individual plan linking State or national curriculum to a student’s world in an interdisciplinary manner. Situated within the manufacturing plant, students took advantage of the synergistic connections available between the real world and the academic world.  Highly dependent on technology, the school focused on “learning how to learn” and communication skills as well as on basic skills.  The school opened as a vacation program in February 1994 and then as a year-round school in September of that year.  Hundreds of visitors from both the business and education communities toured the program.  In June 1995 The Learning Space was called “one of the most innovative schools in America” at the third annual International Model Schools Conference.

With nearly twenty years of experience in public education, until September 1992 Ms. Pepin served as Superintendent of Schools for the Greenville Central School District in Greene County, New York.  During her three plus years at this post, she worked with the board to develop and implement programs aimed at paving the way for staff, curriculum, and facilities development into the next decade.  Giving ten months notice to the School Board, she chose to leave the role of Superintendent with the intention of being able to better assist reform in public education by working outside of the system. 

From 1983 to 1989 Ms. Pepin was the principal of Guilderland Central High School near Albany, New York.  In this 1550 student building she was highly involved in student activities, implemented a student recognition program, and conducted seminars in areas including stress management and leadership.  She was credited by teachers for spending a large proportion of her time within the classrooms and school halls.  She was able to find ways to individualize programs for students when the traditional models did not work.  Prior to 1983, Ms. Pepin spent four years as assistant principal at Kenmore East Senior High School in the western New York community of Tonawanda.  She was able to expand the traditional role of disciplinarian into that of student advocate and master teacher.  Her formal career in education began as a teacher of high school age special education students in Windsor, Connecticut. 

She has been a guest on CNN, CNN Financial Network and SNN.  She has speaking credits ranging from the National Quality and Education Board to the New York Governor’s Education Summit.  A documentary video about her work has been produced.  She was listed in the top 100 Executive Educator “Up and Coming Administrators” as well as Who’s Who of American Women.  She is on the Advisory Board of and a reviewer for the Journal of School Choice (Haworth Press, Inc.) whose first issue was released in 2006.

 “There should be no more rewards for predicting storms, but only for building arks,” says Debbie N. Pepin.   Though shocking people into discussing death has become her "fun", she also volunteers for the Austin “Make A Wish” office and various Senior Care facilities and enjoys weightlifting, biking, gardening, traveling and flying (a licensed pilot), which she does with her husband.