Students, parents, and teachers committed to raising awareness about bullying and suicide prevention
About Debbie
Debbie
Johnston is a graduate of the University of South Florida with degrees in in
Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Science. She has been a certified
teacher with Lee County Schools since 1985 and has been recognized for
Excellence in Teaching seven times by the Golden Apple Foundation. After losing
her son to suicide as a result of bullying, Debbie worked with Governor Jeb Bush
and Representatives Ellyn Bogdanoff and Nick Thompson to create the Jeffrey
Johnston "Stand Up For All Students" Act. Debbie founded Students For Safer
Schools, an advocacy group for young people, and is a certified presenter for
the Bully Safe curriculum. She is the Bully Police Florida Co-Director
and has been a speaker at national and international conferences, in addition to
bringing Jeff's Story to students across the state in school assemblies. Her
life’s passion is raising awareness about the connections between bullying and a
multitude of societal problems that impact the physical and emotional well-being
of our children through public speaking, writing, and advocating for educational
reform at the state and national level.
