Present Leader
Deborah "Debbie" Dryden
Name: Deborah “Debbie” Dryden
Chapter: Kappa
Region: VIII
DKG Member: 21 years
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at University of North Carolina - Charlotte, 1971 and Master of Arts degree in Education at University of North Carolina - Charlotte, 1986
About: Debbie has been very involved not only with Kappa chapter, but with Region VIII and state NC DKG committees. She has served her chapter as president for two consecutive terms and is actively involved in sponsoring beginning teachers. As a force within Kappa in every discussion and decision, Debbie is a knowledgeable resource for chapter management. Debbie served as Regional Director for Region VIII, has been a member of the State Scholarship Committee and the State Rules Committee and also served as registrar for the State convention. She was a formerly “Eta State” World Fellowship Representative and is presently a NC DKG US Forum Representative. Within the community, Debbie presently serves on the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment as Vice-Chairman.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “DKG offered me an opportunity to further my passion for education surrounded by dedicated teachers. I was excited to join a group in DKG of fellow women educators.”
Chapter: Kappa
Region: VIII
DKG Member: 21 years
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at University of North Carolina - Charlotte, 1971 and Master of Arts degree in Education at University of North Carolina - Charlotte, 1986
About: Debbie has been very involved not only with Kappa chapter, but with Region VIII and state NC DKG committees. She has served her chapter as president for two consecutive terms and is actively involved in sponsoring beginning teachers. As a force within Kappa in every discussion and decision, Debbie is a knowledgeable resource for chapter management. Debbie served as Regional Director for Region VIII, has been a member of the State Scholarship Committee and the State Rules Committee and also served as registrar for the State convention. She was a formerly “Eta State” World Fellowship Representative and is presently a NC DKG US Forum Representative. Within the community, Debbie presently serves on the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment as Vice-Chairman.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “DKG offered me an opportunity to further my passion for education surrounded by dedicated teachers. I was excited to join a group in DKG of fellow women educators.”
Archive-Present Leader
Nancy A. Tunstall
Name: Nancy A. Tunstall
Chapter: Gamma Chi
Region: III
DKG Member: 22 years
Educational Background: Wake Forest University, B.S. in Mathematics, magna cum laude with honors; Wake Forest University, M.A. in math education
About: In Gamma Chi, Nancy has served two terms as president. She has been the editor of the newsletter since 2006 and webmaster since 2011. In 2012, she received the first ever Region III Golden Key award. She served as the Region III Director from 2012 – 2014. She was appointed as a member of the NC DKG Communications committee for 2013-2017 (chair from 2015-2017) and is currently serving during the 2021-2023 biennium. In 2018, she was awarded the Star of the Southeast for North Carolina.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: I joined DKG because I felt that it was a great honor to be asked to join a group of key women educators.
Debbie Merritt
Name: Debbie Merritt
Chapter: Delta Psi
Region: IX
DKG Member: 9 years
About: Debbie Merritt is the current President of Delta Psi and a nominee for the Golden Key Award. She has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 9 Years. As a former member and Past President of Alpha Theta, she was instrumental in helping to charter Delta Psi, our newest chapter in NC DKG, in Stokes County. Debbie is an excellent leader who works hard to promote women in education in her chapter and community. Although currently retired, she is a former Adjunct Instructor & Supervisor of Student Teachers: Lees-McRae College, Supervisor of Student Teachers: East Carolina University, Online Instructor Teacher Education: Surry Community College, Asst. Superintendent: Stokes County Schools, Director of Elementary Education & Federal Programs, and Principal/ Asst.Principal/Teacher: Stokes County Schools.
Chapter: Delta Psi
Region: IX
DKG Member: 9 years
About: Debbie Merritt is the current President of Delta Psi and a nominee for the Golden Key Award. She has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 9 Years. As a former member and Past President of Alpha Theta, she was instrumental in helping to charter Delta Psi, our newest chapter in NC DKG, in Stokes County. Debbie is an excellent leader who works hard to promote women in education in her chapter and community. Although currently retired, she is a former Adjunct Instructor & Supervisor of Student Teachers: Lees-McRae College, Supervisor of Student Teachers: East Carolina University, Online Instructor Teacher Education: Surry Community College, Asst. Superintendent: Stokes County Schools, Director of Elementary Education & Federal Programs, and Principal/ Asst.Principal/Teacher: Stokes County Schools.
Dr. Michelle Tuck Thomas
Name: Dr. Michelle Tuck Thomas
Chapter: Beta Kappa
Region: V
DKG Member: 7 years
Educational Background: North Carolina Central University (NCCU) 1996 - BS in Mathematics [Concentration-Secondary Education]; NCCU 1998 - BA in Middle Grades Education with a Minor in History; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2004 - MSA; High Point University, 2019 - Doctorate in Educational Leadership with Superintendent’s Licensure
About: Michelle has served as both Beta Kappa Chapter President and Region V Director since 2019. As a member of the NC DKG planning committee, she co-presented a workshop on strategic planning. Michelle was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the chapter’s website. Michelle has artwork accepted into the DKG Gallery of Fine Arts. As chapter president, she led a collaboration with her members and a community partner. Over 700 Person County educators were impacted as a result of the partnership. Michelle is currently the Testing and Accountability Specialist in the department for Research and Accountability. At her church, Michelle oversees the technical aspects of worship.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “I accepted membership into DKG because it is the premier organization where I am able to bond with other educators with a common purpose. I believe that as a member of DKG, I am able to contribute to advancing the education profession by networking, learning, and leading on the local, state, and national levels. DKG is the vehicle that allows me to help other educators to become contributing members of society.
Chapter: Beta Kappa
Region: V
DKG Member: 7 years
Educational Background: North Carolina Central University (NCCU) 1996 - BS in Mathematics [Concentration-Secondary Education]; NCCU 1998 - BA in Middle Grades Education with a Minor in History; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2004 - MSA; High Point University, 2019 - Doctorate in Educational Leadership with Superintendent’s Licensure
About: Michelle has served as both Beta Kappa Chapter President and Region V Director since 2019. As a member of the NC DKG planning committee, she co-presented a workshop on strategic planning. Michelle was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the chapter’s website. Michelle has artwork accepted into the DKG Gallery of Fine Arts. As chapter president, she led a collaboration with her members and a community partner. Over 700 Person County educators were impacted as a result of the partnership. Michelle is currently the Testing and Accountability Specialist in the department for Research and Accountability. At her church, Michelle oversees the technical aspects of worship.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “I accepted membership into DKG because it is the premier organization where I am able to bond with other educators with a common purpose. I believe that as a member of DKG, I am able to contribute to advancing the education profession by networking, learning, and leading on the local, state, and national levels. DKG is the vehicle that allows me to help other educators to become contributing members of society.
Julia Yamaoka Thorne
Name: Julia Yamaoka Thorn
Chapter: Gamma Zeta
Total Years in DKG: 18
Educational Background: Stanford University, BS and M.Ed. in English Education 1975; Northwest University, Graduate Speech and Debate Fellow, 1977; East Carolina University, M.Ed. School Administration, 2008; National Board Certification in English Language Arts, 2019
Short Professional Bio: Julia has taken on several roles at East Carteret High School in Beaufort, NC. Those roles include teacher of English I, English II, English IV, Speech & Debate. She also sponsored several teams for the North Carolina High School Mock Trial. The hard work of her teams resulted in three national titles, two state titles and regional titles.
Julia’s list of work experiences includes teaching positions in Hiroshima, Japan; Whidbey island, WA.; Saratoga, CA; Honolulu, HI. She has taught at the middle school, high school and college level. Along with her membership in many organizations, Julie has had six articles published. Two of her published entries include, “Heart of the Rose,” in the Summer 2020 issue of Delta Kappa Gamma Collegial Exchange Delta Kappa Gamma Collegial Exchange and Heart of the Rose, Power from Faith, Won’t You DKG with Me?, Delta Kappa Gamma International Art Gallery, 2019, 2021
Short quote from this person on why she accepted membership into DKG:
“When local teaching legends Annie Salter, Ginny Temple, and Bonnie Ferneau came to my school to invite me to DKG, I was taken aback. How could there be any time to do something like this? Their gentle persistence melted me, however, and I am grateful that it did. Teaching is such an isolating experience, but to have a fellowship of respected and personable professionals became mesmerizing. When my personal life fell to pieces in divorce, my DKG sisters came to my aid, bringing me clothes and food to the women’s shelter, and love and help in time of need. Now I want to do anything I can for this worthy and noble heart-driven endeavor of Delta Kappa Gamma. I belong!”
Chapter: Gamma Zeta
Total Years in DKG: 18
Educational Background: Stanford University, BS and M.Ed. in English Education 1975; Northwest University, Graduate Speech and Debate Fellow, 1977; East Carolina University, M.Ed. School Administration, 2008; National Board Certification in English Language Arts, 2019
Short Professional Bio: Julia has taken on several roles at East Carteret High School in Beaufort, NC. Those roles include teacher of English I, English II, English IV, Speech & Debate. She also sponsored several teams for the North Carolina High School Mock Trial. The hard work of her teams resulted in three national titles, two state titles and regional titles.
Julia’s list of work experiences includes teaching positions in Hiroshima, Japan; Whidbey island, WA.; Saratoga, CA; Honolulu, HI. She has taught at the middle school, high school and college level. Along with her membership in many organizations, Julie has had six articles published. Two of her published entries include, “Heart of the Rose,” in the Summer 2020 issue of Delta Kappa Gamma Collegial Exchange Delta Kappa Gamma Collegial Exchange and Heart of the Rose, Power from Faith, Won’t You DKG with Me?, Delta Kappa Gamma International Art Gallery, 2019, 2021
Short quote from this person on why she accepted membership into DKG:
“When local teaching legends Annie Salter, Ginny Temple, and Bonnie Ferneau came to my school to invite me to DKG, I was taken aback. How could there be any time to do something like this? Their gentle persistence melted me, however, and I am grateful that it did. Teaching is such an isolating experience, but to have a fellowship of respected and personable professionals became mesmerizing. When my personal life fell to pieces in divorce, my DKG sisters came to my aid, bringing me clothes and food to the women’s shelter, and love and help in time of need. Now I want to do anything I can for this worthy and noble heart-driven endeavor of Delta Kappa Gamma. I belong!”
Dr. Sherry Richards Willis
Name: Dr. Sherry Richards Willis
Chapter: Alpha Nu
Region: X
DKG Member: 34 years
Educational Background: B. S. in early childhood education from WCU in 1975 M.A. in early Childhood education from WCU in 1984, and Ed. D. in educational leadership from WCU in 2010.
Professional accomplishments: Editor of Chapter Chat, chapter newsletter, and webmaster (both award-winning); board member of the NC DKG Educational Foundation
Bio: Next May 2022, Dr. Sherry Willis will celebrate her thirty-fifth year as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. With that, one might think she would be content with having been active in Alpha Nu chapter, NC DKG, and DKG International. Whoever may think that would be wrong. At present, she is chair of Alpha Nu's communication and marketing committee, editor of its newsletter, webmaster, and administrator of its Facebook page, as well as a
member of the NC DKG Educational Foundation and editor of its newsletter. Dr. Willis is a "real and present" force in every level of DKG.
Chapter: Alpha Nu
Region: X
DKG Member: 34 years
Educational Background: B. S. in early childhood education from WCU in 1975 M.A. in early Childhood education from WCU in 1984, and Ed. D. in educational leadership from WCU in 2010.
Professional accomplishments: Editor of Chapter Chat, chapter newsletter, and webmaster (both award-winning); board member of the NC DKG Educational Foundation
Bio: Next May 2022, Dr. Sherry Willis will celebrate her thirty-fifth year as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. With that, one might think she would be content with having been active in Alpha Nu chapter, NC DKG, and DKG International. Whoever may think that would be wrong. At present, she is chair of Alpha Nu's communication and marketing committee, editor of its newsletter, webmaster, and administrator of its Facebook page, as well as a
member of the NC DKG Educational Foundation and editor of its newsletter. Dr. Willis is a "real and present" force in every level of DKG.
