Deb Castleman
Math/Science Specialist
112 Jones Learning Center
Tel. (479) 979-1405
E-mail: dmcastle@ozarks.edu
B.S., University of Arkansas
In 1987, Deb Castleman enrolled at Ozarks with the intention of working toward a second degree. She knew some of the JLC staff members, which enabled her to meet some of the learning center students, who impressed her greatly. "I felt the (learning center) was a very special and unique world," Deb says.
In 1990, she began working as the center's math and science specialist. She loves working with learning center students. "They are my 'at work' children," she says. "Each student is a person who can develop and achieve in his or her own way, and I love being a part of their growth and success."
Deb's work as a specialist brings her in contact with a wide variety of personalities, and she says she learns something new from each one of them: Open-mindedness, patience and a desire to never become complacent are just some of the traits she has acquired since she began working at JLC. In return, Deb hopes she can pass on the skills and confidence to her students that will help them leave Ozarks with strength of character, compassion and love for other people.
"I hope the students I've worked with at Ozarks will have pride in themselves and leave here with the ability to endure the learning experiences of life," Deb says. She sees this happen with her students even before they graduate: "It is so inspiring to see some of my former students tutoring my current students in algebra!"
