The Public Schools of Robeson County’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction has received the highest honor for her work in the 2025-2026 cohort of the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Leverage Leadership Institute Fellowship.
Dr. Debra Dowless has been recognized as a Platinum Plus Leader for her hard work and dedication in the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Leverage Leadership Institute Fellowship. Dowless joins PSRC Relay-Leverage Leadership Coach Amanda Graham and Dr. Windy Dorsey-Carr, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability, in receiving this prestigious recognition.
Throughout her time in the fellowship, Dr. Dowless said the experience strengthened her leadership skills and provided valuable opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with fellow educators.
“The Leverage Leadership Institute challenged me to refine my practice, deepen my leadership and grow alongside an exceptional community of educators. The experience was invaluable and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve through the program,” Dr. Dowless said.
Through the yearlong fellowship, participants engage in intensive training, video-based feedback cycles and live practice designed to deepen implementation of leadership levers and strengthen their ability to coach others. Dowless earned the Platinum Plus status and designation as a certified Leverage Leadership instructor, reflecting a strong commitment to excellence, growth and impact in service of students and educators.
“Dr. Dowless’ completion of the Leverage Leadership Institute is another example of the strong leadership development taking place across PSRC,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“Our strategic plan places a major focus on leadership development and having leaders who are not only participating in this work, but also becoming equipped to help train and support others, strengthens our ability to sustain growth across the district,” Dr. Williamson said.
Leverage Leadership Institute (LLI) is a highly selective fellowship that develops exceptional school leaders through rigorous practice, coaching and leadership development. LLI admits only 25 participants each year and is focused on strengthening instructional leadership, coaching and the systems that drive student success. The program prepares outstanding school leaders to become proof points of excellence and to extend their impact through leadership, coaching and professional learning.
The fellowship is grounded in the levers of leadership identified in Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, including data-driven instruction and weekly data meetings, planning meetings, student-centered school-wide culture, observation and feedback and adult professional development.
The Leverage Leadership Institute supports leaders in building replicable best practices, improving outcomes and expanding their impact across schools and districts. Dowless’ completion of the fellowship marks an important professional milestone and a continued commitment to high-quality instructional leadership.
“Strong leadership helps set the tone for strong schools and opportunities like this help us continue to move our district forward,” Dr. Williamson said.