Debra teaches U.S. History and serves as the 8th Grade Team Lead at Hudson Bend Middle School, where she was recently named both Hudson Bend Teacher of the Year and Lake Travis ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year — an honor she describes as “truly unbelievable and beyond humbling.”

After more than 30 years in education — spanning middle school, university classrooms, and school administration — she still lights up talking about teaching history.

But for Debra, life here is just as much about family as it is the classroom.

She and her husband moved to Lakeway three years ago to be closer to their two children, both now building lives of their own in the community. Their daughter is finishing her teaching credential while working at Lake Travis High School, and their son works at H-E-B. Debra says watching them grow into adulthood nearby has been one of the greatest gifts of living here.

Outside the classroom, Debra also helps lead Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Hudson Bend, where students invite local pastors to speak and encourage one another — something she says has created a genuine sense of community and leadership among students.

As for what she loves most about Lakeway?

“The deer,” she laughs. “Even the squirrels that eat our Christmas tree lights are adorable.”

When the Rosens aren’t working, they’re usually enjoying the lake life — boating on Lake Travis, golf-carting around town, or grabbing dinner at Carmela's, where Debra recommends the blackened salmon with angel hair pasta.

And someday, once her classroom years are behind her, she hopes to create a retreat weekend for young girls focused on faith, encouragement, and connection — a place to step away from the noise of social media and simply feel supported.