Former educator and current plant lady, LeFalle picks up a childhood passion of writing.  

During her time as a Mission College faculty member, Deborah LeFalle made it her mission to uplift students. “There was a student that was very quiet, sometimes difficult to engage in conversation, and he was looking for jobs. I helped him research opportunities and refine his resume, and he secured a job in his major at Lockheed-Martin straight out of college. I was so proud of him and happy to have helped.” 

LeFalle began her position as Extended Opportunity Program and Services Director in 1991, leaving only when she retired in 2011. She spent her entire education career managing delivery of support services such as admissions assistance, grants, counseling, tutoring and peer groups to aid students in working toward their educational goals. 

What inspired you to work in education? 

Before working at Mission College LeFalle was employed in city and county government in a variety of staff and management capacities, but her heart was pulled in another direction. “It was disheartening to see news stories day after day about the violence occurring in our urban areas. This prompted me to pause and take stock of what I was doing in my career and whether I was doing enough to contribute to the greater good of our communities. I began exploring ways I might add value to turning the violence trend around and concluded the best way I could do this would be through higher education access.” LeFalle started applying for positions at local colleges and universities and found the perfect match at Mission College. 

What was your favorite part of helping these students? 

“I found immense value and reward in interacting with students, learning from them as much as they learned from me. Encouraging students to bring their whole selves, including lived experiences, to the learning environment, was a priority. 

“Education in the broad sense has historically viewed students as vessels being filled with information, instead of as contributors to learning. It became obvious to me that it’s a relationship.” 

Did you have a favorite teacher? Who was it and what did they teach? 

“If I had to pick a favorite, it would be my first-grade teacher. She impressed upon us the merits of being kind and fair, and she had an engaging approach that made learning a delight. Her warm and uplifting presence pervaded the classroom, making me feel a genuine sense of belonging. She was the gold standard of inspiration!” 

What’s one thing you’re proud of during your career? 

“One thing I am especially proud of is knowing I had some part, however small, in helping to advance the educational pursuits and dreams of deserving students. As a former Educational Opportunity Program student myself, I experienced firsthand the positive impact a support system can have on one’s success. Not only did the program provide the scaffolding for me to thrive academically, but it also helped me build self-confidence in my abilities and develop interpersonal skills that would be vital in my future.” 

What is your favorite thing to do now you have extra time? 

“I am having the time of my life! I have been retired for 13 years and although I loved my job, the thing I most appreciate is having down time between activities—not having to rush from one to the next with no breathing room in between. 

“I was blessed to be able to care for my aging mother until her passing in 2020. During this time, it was important for me to also practice self-care, taking time for myself to stay healthy and venture out exploring new things. Some of my more memorable adventures include being a zombie in the annual Michael Jackson “Thrill the World” global event, participating in a 5K run/walk, going whale watching in Monterey Bay and witnessing New England’s fall foliage unfold. 

“With long-held secret aspirations to be a songstress, artist and writer, I took classes in voice, drawing and creative writing. Realizing my talents for singing and drawing were subpar at best, I decided to abandon those paths and continue with writing. Since starting on my writing journey in 2014, my poetry and prose have appeared in more than 60 publications, and I have authored four books. To keep honing my craft I attend a writing residency once a year, what I view as a working vacation.” 

What inspired you to become a writer? 

“My mom always had books for us in our home, and when I was 5 years old, I liked to create picture book stories. Writing took a back seat as I grew older, but after I retired, I took my first creative writing class and found I was drawn to writing poetry. I write just for the joy of it.” 

Tell us something fun about you.  

“I’m a plant lady. I have dozens of plants in my home of numerous varieties. Besides being aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and nourishing for the soul, my plants bring nature’s greenery indoors to help cleanse the air of my living space.” 

What’s your best piece of advice for new educators? 

“Be open to new and unexpected opportunities for learning and know that learning never ends.” 

Teacher Talk is a series of profiles on California teachers and other educators. To be considered for a future profile, email Communications@CalSTRS.com with Teacher Talk in the subject line.