Debra Byars Patterson

Background

Patterson, Debra Byars was born on December 20, 1953 in Troy, Alabama, United States. Daughter of Walter Ryland and Mildred Lucille (Rhodes) Byars.

Education

Bachelor of Science, U. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1975; Master of Arts, U. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1978; Doctor of Philosophy, U. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1997.

Career

Special education teacher, Marion County Schools, Hamilton, Alabama, 1975-1976; special education teacher, Jefferson County Schools, Birmingham, Alabama, 1976-1978; special education teacher, Birmingham Public Schools, 1978-1982, 89-94; program coordinator, Pike Activity Center, Troy, 1984-1987; special education teacher, DeKalb County Schools, Fort Payne, Alabama, 1987-1989; program specialist, Birmingham Public Schools, 1994-1997. Director McCoy School for Multihandicapped Children, Birmingham, 19977-78.

Achievements

• Debra Byars Patterson has been listed as a noteworthy Special education educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Citizen Amb. People to People, China, 1993. Secretary Association for Retarded Citizens, Fort Payne, 1988. Member National Education Association, American Association on Mental Retardation, Council for Exceptional Children (Elizabeth Wetzel scholar 1991), Phi Delta Kappa (secretary since 1997).

Interests

• Avocations: tole painting, gardening, travel, crafts.

Connections

Married David Alfred Patterson, June 3, 1978.

Father:

Walter Ryland Byars

Mother:

Mildred Lucille (Rhodes) Byars

Spouse:

David Alfred Patterson