Debra Hess

Lead Primary Teacher

What’s something you’ve learned from your students?

My students remind me to give myself the same encouragement I give them. When something feels hard, I remind them that they are capable, that progress isn’t always a straight line, and that resilience grows each time we try again. In my own challenging moments, I’m learning to take that advice to heart: be patient with myself, trust my ability to grow, and keep going—even when it’s hard

If you had to rename yourself after a food, what would your new name be?

Rice Rice Baby! I’m Korean, and rice has been a staple in my house since I was little. Steak and rice, fish and rice, chicken and rice—basically, if there’s a meal, rice gets an invitation

If you could spend a day inside any fictional world, where would you go?

I’d spend a day in Dazed and Confused, borrowing a little of Matthew McConaughey’s effortless chill. I try to channel that energy: cool, calm, collected, and somehow always with a plan. A day of good music, good company, and letting nothing rattle me? Alright, alright, alright!

What’s something you collect, and what made you start collecting it?

I collect seashells! My love for shelling began when I was little, after my dad gave me a display filled with different shells and their names. I loved reading about them, and that curiosity turned into a lifelong treasure hunt. I’ve collected shells from all over the Caribbean and Central America, from queen conchs to olives and cone shells. They’re some of my most prized possessions—and I still get just as excited about finding a beautiful shell as I did as a child

What’s something you’re grateful for right now?

My family. Always. My hubby and boys are my greatest source of joy and strength