Chief Academic Officer Deborah Backus joins McREL's Board of Directors
December 15, 2008
Denver—Deborah L. Backus, chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Golden, Colo., has joined the Board of Directors of Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL).
Backus has over 30 years of experience in education, including previous positions as teacher, assistant principal, principal, administrative trainer, and assistant superintendent. She has been the recipient of a number of awards, including the Phi Delta Kappa Leadership Award and the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education, and a school she led, Montview Elementary, received a Blue Ribbon Award for Model Professional Development from the United States Department of Education.
"Ms. Backus is an exemplar in the education community, and the McREL Board will benefit greatly from her expertise, leadership skills, and determination to improve education through research and its practical applications," said Dr. Tim Waters, McREL President and CEO.
Backus said, "I am honored to be asked to be a part of McREL and hope to help the organization grow in its influence as one that supports the development and communication of knowledge to the educational community."
Backus holds a C.A.S. in Educational Administration in Urban Settings from Chicago State University, an M.Ed. in Reading and Neuropsychology from Harvard University, and a B.A. in Special/Elementary Education from Boston College.
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McREL is a nationally recognized, private, nonprofit organization located in Denver, Colo., dedicated to improving education for all students through applied research, product development and service. In 2007, McREL provided research-based guidance to educators and policymakers in 47 states across the U.S.
