Meet the Principal

Dr. Deborah Charaman considers herself a life-long learner and a climate and culture guru. She
prides herself as one with a listening ear who is sensitive to the needs of her staff, students, and
community. Charaman’s educational philosophy is that school should be such an engaging place
that students can hardly wait to get to school each day. Charaman also espouses the notion that
educators must be supported and equipped with the tools that they need in order to be able to
educate, motivate, and cultivate our scholars with fidelity. “Teachers are humans, not robots,”
she often asserts.

Charaman’s career in the field of education spans two decades. She has taught everything from
K-12 music and performing arts to middle and high school speech, drama, and ELA. Dr.
Charaman has also served in the capacities of instructional coach and lead teacher. Dr. Charaman
had held the position of a middle school principal for two years prior to joining the team at the
Pontiac School District. Moreover, this year marks her fourth year as a building principal and her
second year as the principal of ILA K-5. Dr. Charaman’s vision for ILA is that it is hailed as a
premier academic institution whereby students are deeply immersed in culture, leadership, and
collaborative endeavors.

Dr. Charaman possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Master of Arts in
Secondary Teaching, both from Wayne State University. In addition, she has earned both an
Educational Specialist and Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership from
Liberty University. She will continue to conduct research and examine best practices that would
serve both the local and global academic community.